Fire in hospital kills 14 newborns in Pakistan’s capital

A fire ignited by an exploding air conditioner claimed the lives of 14 newborns in the nursery of a hospital in Pakistan's capital city on Wednesday, officials reported. A single infant among the 15 infants present in the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences nursery survived, according to the hospital. Graphic footage depicted rescue personnel scaling ladders to access the third-floor nursery through shattered windows.

Heartbroken parents and relatives gathered outside the hospital, some sobbing while others demanded clarifications regarding the origin of the fire and the adequacy of firefighting equipment in the nursery. The government launched an investigation, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the Health Secretary, Aslam Ghauri, to resign from his position.

One woman, who identified herself as Mrs. Mohammad Sami, disclosed that she had given birth three days prior, and her newborn was receiving intensive care in the nursery when the fire erupted. "I have no idea what to say or to whom to blame," she lamented, weeping. "I have lost my child." The fire was restricted to the nursery at the institute, which is among the largest public hospitals in Islamabad.

The remainder of the facility remained unscathed, with no other injuries reported, as per hospital officials and eyewitnesses. The flames were eventually doused, according to Islamabad Chief Commissioner Suhail Ashraf.

The tragedy stands as one of Pakistan's most devastating recent incidents involving children. In June, 14 schoolchildren perished when the roof of an under-construction tutoring center collapsed in Lahore's eastern district. Health Minister Mustafa Kamal, who confirmed the death toll, said he was en route from Karachi to Islamabad to oversee the investigation.

Dr. Aneeza Jalil, a hospital spokesperson, stated that a doctor managed to rescue one baby. She added that the bodies of six infants had been handed over to their families, while the remaining bodies would be released shortly. The Islamabad district magistrate appointed a fact-finding committee tasked with submitting a report within 24 hours.

The panel would investigate the fire's cause and spread, ascertain whether adequate fire-safety measures were implemented, and evaluate the emergency response, as per a government order. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister Sharif expressed their sorrow over the fire, with Sharif holding an urgent meeting with officials from relevant agencies shortly after the incident.

President Asif Ali Zardari also extended condolences to the families, describing the deaths as "heartbreaking and an irreparable loss." He urged those responsible to face justice and called upon hospitals to enforce effective fire-safety measures and emergency protocols.