Riyadh, Tehran and Ankara express condolences after a fire at Islamabad’s PIMS hospital killed at least 14 newborn babies.
ISLAMABAD – Web Desk: Saudi Arabia, Iran and Turkey have expressed condolences and solidarity with Pakistan following the deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad that killed at least 14 newborn babies.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry extended condolences to the families of the victims as well as the government and people of Pakistan following the tragedy.
Riyadh also expressed solidarity with the affected families and reaffirmed its support for Pakistan during the period of mourning.
Iran, Turkey express condolences
Iran also conveyed sympathy from its government and people to the families of the victims and to Pakistan following the incident.
Turkey’s embassy in Islamabad said it was deeply saddened by the loss of newborn lives and extended condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families.
Syria also expressed condolences and solidarity with Pakistan after the tragedy.
International support for Pakistan
Messages of sympathy have also come from several other countries.
The British High Commission expressed condolences to the parents and families affected by the incident, while France and Spain also conveyed sympathy.
China’s embassy expressed deep sorrow over the deaths, while Nigeria, Syria and Afghanistan also sent messages of condolence and support to Pakistan and the affected families.
The international messages came as Pakistan mourned the deaths of newborn babies in one of the country’s most serious recent hospital fire tragedies.
What happened at PIMS?
According to the Geo News report, the fire started at around 7am on August 26 on the third floor of the hospital’s Mother and Child Health ward.
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal told Geo News that the fire erupted following a blast in an air conditioner and that the presence of oxygen in the ward helped the flames spread.
The incident prompted an investigation by Pakistani authorities, with the government pledging accountability.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also suspended the health secretary following the tragedy after ordering an investigation into the incident.
Questions over hospital safety
The tragedy has also triggered questions about fire safety arrangements at PIMS.
A separate report has raised allegations that the hospital lacked a fire safety NOC, while questions have also been raised over regulatory oversight and safety compliance.
These matters should be treated as reported allegations unless confirmed through official records or an investigation.
Meanwhile, Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has rejected allegations that doctors and hospital staff were absent when the fire broke out.
Global solidarity
The messages from Riyadh, Tehran, Ankara and other capitals underline the international response to the tragedy as Pakistan mourns the loss of newborn lives.
Authorities are now expected to establish the precise circumstances surrounding the fire and determine whether safety standards and emergency procedures were adequately followed.
