A blaze broke out early Wednesday in a neonatal nursery at a prominent government hospital in Pakistan’s capital, resulting in the tragic deaths of 14 infants, as confirmed by hospital authorities and government officials.
The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad accommodated around 15 newborns in the nursery when the fire started at approximately 6:45 a.m. local time after an air-conditioning unit compressor exploded on the third floor of the facility, according to accounts from hospital and rescue personnel.
The fire was contained within the nursery located in the gynecology ward, while the remainder of the hospital remained unharmed, with no additional injuries reported, as noted by hospital authorities and witnesses. Footage from television broadcasts depicted rescue workers utilizing ladders to access the area through shattered windows.
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal verified the unfortunate loss of at least 14 infants.
Dr. Aneeza Jalil, a hospital spokesperson, mentioned that one infant was rescued by a doctor. She indicated that the remains of six babies had been returned to their families, while the rest would be released shortly.
The news of the children’s deaths has triggered a sense of shock and sorrow nationwide. Police presence was heightened at the hospital as grieving parents and relatives assembled, displaying a range of emotions from weeping to demanding accountability and clarity on the fire’s origins and the nursery’s firefighting readiness.
Mohammad Sami recounted giving birth three days prior, with her newborn receiving critical care in the nursery at the time of the blaze.
Firefighters swiftly intervened and extinguished the flames, with rescue teams commencing cooling operations at the scene, as reported by local media. Islamabad Chief Commissioner Suhail Ashraf later confirmed the fire was put out, and authorities were working closely with the affected families.
Promptly, the Islamabad district magistrate appointed a multiagency committee tasked with investigating the incident within a day. This committee will delve into the fire’s cause and spread, assess fire safety measures in place, and evaluate the emergency response, as outlined in a government announcement.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed their condolences over the tragic incident. Prime Minister Sharif stressed the need for an immediate inquiry, emphasizing the profound loss associated with a tragedy involving children.
President Asif Ali Zardari extended sympathies to the bereaved families, labeling the deaths as heartbreaking and irreplaceable. Zardari called for the identification and appropriate legal action against those responsible, urging hospitals to prioritize effective fire safety and emergency protocols, especially in units caring for newborns.
PIMS, a prominent public hospital in Islamabad, was recently in the spotlight for conducting a medical evaluation of incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan.