Pakistan: Islamabad hospital fire kills 15 infants
A fire broke out in the third floor of a maternity ward in Islamabad. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for an immediate investigation into the tragedy.
A fire broke out in the gynaecology ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad, killing 14 or 15 infants. The nursery, located on the third floor of the Mother and Child Hospital's ward, housed at least 15 newborns when the fire started. According to Dawn, the fire erupted at 7am and appeared to have been caused by a short circuit.
Rescue teams responded quickly, with six fire brigade vehicles and four ambulances taking part in the rescue operation. Footage showed rescue workers using ladders and going through broken windows to access the affected area. At least one baby was rescued, according to Dawn and Associated Press.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sorrow over the deaths and ordered an immediate investigation into the tragedy, as reported by DW News and Associated Press. An inquiry committee headed by the additional deputy commissioner general has been formed to investigate the incident.
Brief written by urgent.news from DW News, ABC News AU, Associated Press, Dawn, Dawn - Pakistan — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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