A blaze broke out early Wednesday in the neonatal unit of a major 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 was home to 15 newborns in the affected unit when the fire started around 6:45 a.m. local time after an air-conditioning unit compressor exploded on the third floor, according to reports from the hospital and rescue teams.
The fire was contained within the neonatal unit in the gynecology ward, with no injuries reported elsewhere in the hospital. Rescue workers were seen using ladders to access the area through broken windows, as shown in television footage. Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal verified the death toll of 14 babies.
Dr. Aneeza Jalil, a hospital spokesperson, mentioned that one baby was rescued by a doctor, and six infant bodies had been returned to their families, with the rest to follow soon. The tragic incident sparked widespread shock and sorrow across the nation, leading to a deployment of police at the hospital premises, where grieving parents and relatives gathered to seek accountability and clarity on the circumstances surrounding the fire outbreak.
The Islamabad district magistrate promptly appointed a multiagency committee to investigate the incident within 24 hours, focusing on determining the cause of the fire, assessing fire-safety measures in place, and evaluating the emergency response. Firefighters acted swiftly to extinguish the flames, and rescue teams initiated cooling operations at the scene, as reported by local media. Islamabad Chief Commissioner Suhail Ashraf declared that the fire had been put out, with authorities working closely with the affected families.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, emphasizing the profound loss of young lives. President Asif Ali Zardari extended condolences to the grieving families, urging a thorough investigation to identify and hold accountable those responsible. Zardari also stressed the importance of stringent fire-safety protocols and emergency procedures in hospitals, especially in units caring for newborns.
The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, known as one of Islamabad’s prominent public hospitals, had recently hosted a medical examination of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan.