Fourteen newborns died after a fire broke out in the nursery of PIMS’ Mother and Child Health ward, prompting an immediate investigation.
WEB DESK: At least 14 newborns died after a fire broke out in the nursery of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad early Wednesday, August 26.
The fire erupted on the third floor of the hospital’s Mother and Child Health ward, where newborn babies were being treated.
PIMS officials and the Islamabad administration confirmed that 14 infants died in the incident, while at least one baby was rescued.
Fire breaks out in PIMS nursery
The blaze broke out at around 7am in the nursery, according to officials and local media reports.
Rescue teams and firefighters were dispatched to the hospital after the fire was reported. The Islamabad administration said six fire engines and four ambulances took part in the emergency response.
The fire was brought under control and the affected children were shifted to intensive care, but 14 newborns later died from their injuries.
Cause of fire under investigation
Early reports have offered differing accounts of what triggered the fire.
Reuters reported that the blaze was believed to have been caused by a fault in the air-conditioning system. Geo News, citing rescue sources, reported that an air-conditioner compressor exploded inside the nursery.
Dawn initially cited a PIMS spokesperson as saying the fire appeared to have been caused by a short circuit.
Authorities have not yet established a final cause.
A fact-finding committee has been formed to determine what caused the fire and assess whether adequate fire-safety arrangements were in place.
One newborn rescued
The nursery was reported to have contained multiple newborns when the fire broke out.
The precise number has varied in early reports, with officials and media reports citing 15 or 16 infants present at different stages of the incident.
PIMS spokesperson Dr Aneeza Jalil told Dawn that 15 babies were in the ward and that at least one infant was saved by a doctor.
Reuters separately reported that 16 newborns were in the ward and that only one was reportedly rescued.
Because accounts differ, the exact number of infants present at the time of the fire remains subject to confirmation.
Prime minister orders immediate investigation
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the deaths and ordered an immediate investigation into the incident.
The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that 14 newborns had died and said the circumstances surrounding the tragedy should be thoroughly examined.
The prime minister also directed authorities to identify those responsible if negligence or other wrongdoing is established.
The Islamabad administration has formed a multi-agency fact-finding committee to investigate the fire, review fire-safety arrangements and assess the response of emergency services. The committee has been directed to submit its findings within 24 hours.
Questions raised over hospital safety
The tragedy has raised renewed questions about fire-safety arrangements at major public hospitals.
Authorities will examine whether the nursery had adequate fire detection, prevention and evacuation measures and whether emergency procedures were properly followed.
The investigation is also expected to determine whether the fire spread because of an equipment failure, electrical fault, oxygen-related factors or other circumstances.
Officials have not yet announced a final finding on responsibility.
PIMS tragedy sparks grief
The deaths have triggered widespread grief among the families of the newborns and across Pakistan.
Emergency personnel remained at the hospital after the fire was extinguished as officials assessed the affected ward and continued investigations.
The incident is among the most serious recent hospital fires reported in Pakistan and has intensified calls for stronger fire-safety measures in facilities caring for vulnerable patients.
Authorities are expected to release further details after the fact-finding committee completes its initial investigation.
