A fire broke out early Wednesday at a newborn nursery in a prominent government hospital located in Pakistan’s capital, resulting in the tragic deaths of 14 infants, as reported by hospital authorities and government officials.
The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad had at least 15 newborns in the nursery when the blaze ignited around 6:45 a.m. local time, following an explosion of an air-conditioning unit compressor on the third floor, according to both hospital and rescue personnel.
The fire was contained within the nursery of the gynecology department, with no impact on the rest of the hospital, and no other injuries were reported, as per statements from hospital officials and eyewitnesses. Footage broadcast on television depicted rescue teams using ladders to access the area through shattered windows.
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal confirmed that at least 14 infants had perished.
“A doctor managed to save one baby,” stated Dr. Aneeza Jalil, a spokesperson for the hospital. She mentioned that the remains of six infants had been returned to their families, while the remaining bodies would be released shortly.
Javeria, the mother of a newborn victim, is consoled following the deadly fire. At least one baby was rescued, officials said. (Akhtar Soomro/Reuters)
The loss of these infants has caused an outpouring of grief and disbelief across the nation. Law enforcement was stationed at the hospital as sorrowful parents and relatives gathered, some in tears while others demanded accountability and sought information regarding the fire’s origins and the adequacy of firefighting measures in the nursery.
Mohammad Sami shared that she had given birth just three days prior and that her baby was receiving intensive care in the nursery when the fire broke out.
“I am at a loss for words and don’t know who to hold responsible,” she sobbed. “I have lost my child.”
‘Irreparable loss’
Firefighters swiftly arrived on the scene to extinguish the flames, and rescue teams commenced cooling operations at the location, local media outlets reported. Islamabad Chief Commissioner Suhail Ashraf later confirmed that the fire had been put out and that authorities were coordinating with the affected families.
Shortly after, the Islamabad district magistrate formed a multiagency investigation committee with instructions to provide a report within 24 hours. This group will delve into the fire’s cause, its progression, assess whether adequate fire-safety protocols were implemented, and evaluate the emergency response, as indicated by a government notification.
A multiagency fact-finding committee has been directed to submit a report within 24 hours. The panel will investigate the cause of the fire and its spread. (Akhtar Soomro/Reuters)
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed their condolences regarding the incident.
“A catastrophe involving children represents an irreplaceable loss,” remarked Sharif, who called for an immediate investigation. President Asif Ali Zardari also conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved families, labeling the deaths as “heart-wrenching and an irreparable loss.”
Zardari urged that those accountable be identified and penalized in accordance with the law, and emphasized the importance for hospitals to implement effective fire-safety measures and emergency protocols, particularly in facilities caring for newborns.
PIMS is one of the largest public hospitals in Islamabad, and it was recently the site where imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan underwent a medical examination.