A devastating fire broke out early on Wednesday in a nursery for newborns at a prominent government hospital in Pakistan’s capital, resulting in the tragic loss of 14 infants, as confirmed by hospital authorities and government officials. The incident occurred at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad, where approximately 15 newborns were being cared for in the nursery. The fire originated around 6:45 a.m. local time due to an explosion of an air-conditioning unit compressor on the third floor of the hospital.
Fortunately, the fire was contained to the nursery located in the gynecology ward, with no impact on the rest of the hospital premises and no additional injuries reported. Rescue workers were seen using ladders to access the affected area through broken windows, as depicted in television coverage. Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal verified the tragic loss of 14 infants in the fire.
Dr. Aneeza Jalil, a hospital spokesperson, mentioned that one baby was successfully rescued by a doctor. The bodies of six infants have been returned to their families, while arrangements are being made for the release of the remaining bodies. The news of the children’s deaths spread sorrow and disbelief across the nation, prompting the deployment of police at the hospital to manage the emotional gathering of grieving parents and relatives seeking answers and accountability for the incident.
Authorities swiftly responded to the fire, extinguishing the blaze, and initiating cooling operations at the site, as reported by local media. A multiagency fact-finding committee was promptly appointed by the Islamabad district magistrate to investigate the cause of the fire, assess fire-safety measures in place, and evaluate the emergency response within a 24-hour timeframe. Both Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sadness over the tragedy and emphasized the need for a thorough investigation.
President Asif Ali Zardari extended condolences to the bereaved families, emphasizing the necessity of identifying those responsible and ensuring stringent measures to prevent such incidents in the future, especially in wards catering to newborns. The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), a significant public hospital in Islamabad, has recently been in the spotlight for conducting a medical evaluation of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, further underscoring the importance of hospital safety protocols.
