At least 14 newborn babies have died after a fire broke out in the Mother and Child Health Ward of Pakistan’s largest public hospital, the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), in Islamabad.
The blaze erupted at about 7am on Wednesday on the third floor of the hospital’s maternity and neonatal ward, where 15 babies were reportedly being cared for. Hospital officials said one infant was rescued by a doctor, while the remaining 14 died from severe burns.
Emergency responders deployed six fire engines and four ambulances to the scene and brought the fire under control. Rescue workers reportedly had to use ladders and broken windows to gain access to parts of the affected ward.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Pakistani Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said initial indications pointed to a blast involving an air-conditioning unit, while hospital officials and other reports have also referred to a possible electrical fault. Authorities have yet to issue a definitive finding.
The presence of oxygen equipment in the ward may have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire, according to the health minister. Several of the newborns were reportedly in incubators or receiving oxygen at the time of the incident.
The tragedy has triggered grief and demands for accountability, with questions emerging over fire-safety measures and emergency procedures at the hospital.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an immediate investigation into the incident and called for those found responsible to face appropriate action.
An inquiry committee has also been established to determine how the fire started and assess the response to the emergency.
The deadly incident has also renewed concerns about fire safety in Pakistani public facilities, following several major fires in recent years that have resulted in significant loss of life.
Authorities are continuing investigations as grieving families await further information about the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the infants.
