A blaze broke out early Wednesday in a neonatal nursery at a prominent government hospital in the capital of Pakistan, tragically claiming the lives of 14 infants, as reported by hospital officials and government authorities. The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad was housing 15 newborns in the nursery when the fire ignited around 6:45 a.m. local time due to an explosion of an air-conditioning unit compressor on the third floor, according to statements from the hospital and rescue personnel.
The fire was contained to the nursery located in the gynecology ward, with no impact on the rest of the hospital, and no additional injuries were documented, as per accounts from hospital officials and eyewitnesses. Television footage depicted rescue teams using ladders to access the area through shattered windows.
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal confirmed the heartbreaking loss of at least 14 infants. Dr. Aneeza Jalil, a hospital spokesperson, mentioned that one baby was rescued by a doctor, and the bodies of six infants had been returned to their families, with the remaining bodies to be released shortly.
The tragic incident sent shockwaves of sorrow across the nation, prompting the deployment of police at the hospital to manage grieving parents and relatives who assembled at the scene. Some were seen in tears, seeking accountability and answers regarding the origin of the fire and the adequacy of firefighting equipment in the nursery.
Firefighters promptly responded to extinguish the flames, and rescue teams initiated cooling operations at the site, as reported by local media. Islamabad Chief Commissioner Suhail Ashraf later confirmed the fire was put out, and authorities were coordinating with the affected families.
In response to the tragedy, the Islamabad district magistrate swiftly established a multiagency fact-finding committee with instructions to present a report within 24 hours. The committee’s mandate includes investigating the cause and spread of the fire, assessing the presence of adequate fire safety measures, and evaluating the emergency response, as outlined in a government notification.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed their condolences over the devastating incident. Sharif emphasized the irreparable loss caused by a tragedy involving children and promptly ordered an investigation. President Asif Ali Zardari also extended sympathies to the families, labeling the deaths as heartbreaking and irreplaceable. Zardari urged for accountability, emphasizing the importance of effective fire safety measures and emergency protocols in hospitals, particularly in units caring for newborns.
PIMS, a prominent public hospital in Islamabad, was recently in the spotlight for conducting a medical evaluation of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan.