Door was locked at Pakistan hospital where fire killed 14 babies, witnesses say

A devastating fire struck a maternity ward at Pakistan’s Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) early Wednesday morning, claiming the lives of 14 infants. Hivsa Walid, near the room with her sister-in-law, initially mistook the commotion for a death but soon witnessed smoke. In an instant, they fled with a newborn, who remains unnamed.

The fire ignited in an air-conditioning unit on the third floor of the mother and child unit. Only one of the 15 babies present survived. The door to the maternity ward was locked, causing delays in rescue efforts. Rescuers had to break down doors and smash windows to reach trapped patients. Witnesses allege that hospital staff were absent, and doors remained locked out of fear of unauthorized visits.

The hospital’s executive director cited security concerns, while another survivor expressed dissatisfaction with the hospital’s safety protocols. Islamabad’s Chief Commissioner expressed deep sorrow, and the Prime Minister has called for an immediate investigation and suspended a top health official.