In the early hours of Wednesday, a fire broke out in a neonatal unit at a prominent government hospital in Pakistan’s capital, resulting in the tragic death of 14 infants, as reported by hospital officials and government sources.
The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, located in Islamabad, had 15 newborns in the nursery when flames erupted around 6:45 a.m. local time following an explosion of an air-conditioning compressor on the third floor, according to hospital and rescue personnel.
The blaze was contained within the nursery of the gynecology department, and the rest of the hospital remained unaffected, with no additional injuries reported, as stated by hospital officials and eyewitnesses. Footage from television showed rescue teams utilizing ladders to access the area through shattered windows.
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal confirmed that at least 14 infants had perished.
“A doctor managed to save one baby,” said Dr. Aneeza Jalil, a spokesperson for the hospital. She noted that the remains of six infants had been returned to their families, with the remaining bodies to be released shortly.
Javeria, the mother of a newborn victim, is consoled following the deadly fire. At least one baby was rescued, officials said. (Akhtar Soomro/Reuters)
The loss of these children has sparked widespread shock and mourning across the nation. Police were stationed at the hospital as heartbroken parents and family members gathered, some in tears, while others demanded accountability and sought explanations regarding the cause of the fire and whether the nursery was equipped with sufficient firefighting resources.
Mohammad Sami shared that she had given birth three days prior and her baby was in intensive care in the nursery when the fire broke out.
“I am at a loss for words; I don’t know who to hold responsible,” she expressed tearfully. “I have lost my child.”
‘An Irreparable Loss’
Firefighters responded swiftly and extinguished the flames, while rescue teams initiated cooling operations at the location, as reported by local media. Islamabad Chief Commissioner Suhail Ashraf later announced that the fire had been put out and that authorities were coordinating with the families.
Shortly thereafter, the Islamabad district magistrate established a multiagency committee to investigate the incident, instructing them to submit a report within 24 hours. This panel will examine the fire’s origin and spread, assess the adequacy of fire safety protocols, and evaluate the emergency response, according to a government announcement.
A multiagency fact-finding committee has been directed to submit a report within 24 hours. The panel will investigate the cause of the fire and its spread. (Akhtar Soomro/Reuters)
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed their condolences regarding the fire.
“A disaster involving children is a loss that cannot be repaired,” stated Sharif, who called for an immediate investigation. President Asif Ali Zardari also extended his sympathies to the families, describing the fatalities as “heartbreaking and an irreparable loss.”
Zardari urged for those accountable to be identified and prosecuted according to the law, emphasizing the need for hospitals to implement effective fire safety protocols and emergency measures, especially in units caring for newborns.
PIMS is one of the largest public hospitals in Islamabad and had recently hosted a medical assessment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is currently imprisoned.
