15 newborns killed after fire breaks out at Islamabad hospital in Pakistan

A fire erupted in the gynaecology ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, Pakistan on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of 15 newborns. The nursery housed 16 infants at the time of the incident, with only one baby rescued. The blaze reportedly ignited following an explosion inside the nursery caused by an air-conditioner compressor, according to rescue officials.

The fire broke out around 7 am in the gynaecology ward, situated on the third floor of the hospital's MCH ward. Rescue teams swiftly arrived at the scene to combat the flames, evacuate the remaining patients, and conduct cooling operations. Tragically, out of the 15 children, 14 were found to be completely burnt. The incident has sparked concerns about the safety protocols in the hospital's neonatal and maternity facilities.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an urgent investigation into the tragedy, demanding accountability and stringent punishment for those responsible. He expressed profound sorrow over the loss of innocent lives, describing it as an "irreparable loss" and echoing the anguish of the bereaved families. The Prime Minister has also called for a comprehensive review of fire-safety measures within hospitals to prevent similar disasters from occurring in the future.

Meanwhile, an inquiry committee, led by an additional deputy commissioner general, has been established to determine the cause of the fire and assign responsibility.