At least 15 infants killed in Islamabad hospital fire

ISLAMABAD — A devastating fire erupted at the gynaecology ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) in early Wednesday morning, resulting in the tragic deaths of 14 newborns. The Islamabad administration confirmed the incident, stating that the fire originated on the third floor of the Mother and Child Hospital's ward.

Emergency response teams swiftly arrived at the scene, with six fire brigade vehicles and four ambulances participating in the rescue operation. The fire was promptly extinguished, and the infants were swiftly transferred to the intensive care unit.

An inquiry committee, led by the additional deputy commissioner general, has been formed to investigate the incident. According to Pims spokesperson Dr Aneeza Jalil, 15 babies were present in the ward at the time of the fire. She attributed the cause of the fire to a short circuit, noting that at least one baby was saved by a doctor.

Local resident Malik Israr, whose niece was admitted to the gynaecology ward, expressed his dismay, stating that the nursery was situated in a building undergoing repair and renovation work. Upon the fire's outbreak, patients were instructed to vacate the building, causing those who had just given birth to rush down the stairs from the second floor.

Pims, established in 1985, is the largest public sector hospital in Islamabad and is one of two oldest health facilities in the capital. It comprises multiple hospitals and teaching institutes, making it a vital healthcare institution in the region. This story is being continuously updated as the situation unfolds, and the media strives to ensure accurate reporting through the utilization of credible sources, such as authorities and staff reporters.