Pakistan: Islamabad hospital fire kills 15 infants

A fire erupted at a maternity ward of a hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Wednesday, resulting in the loss of at least 14 infants. The incident occurred on the third floor of the MCH Ward at PIMS Hospital, also known as the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences. The tragedy unfolded around 6:45 a.m. when an air conditioning unit exploded inside the nursery, causing the blaze.

Sixteen newborns were present in the ward at the time, with one baby successfully rescued. Outside the hospital, a nurse read out the names of the deceased infants as their families gathered around, deeply affected by the news. One father mournfully shared that his daughter had only lived for three days. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif immediately ordered a thorough investigation into the incident, emphasizing that those responsible should be identified and the strictest action taken.

This event marks one of the deadliest hospital fires in recent memory in Pakistan, a country where healthcare is subsidized but public hospitals frequently suffer from under-resourcing and overburdening. Pakistani journalists have reported conflicting accounts, with one suggesting the explosion may have originated from an air conditioner in an area currently under construction.

However, further clarification is needed. A mother who had recently undergone a cesarean section two days prior expressed difficulties in obtaining clear information from authorities about the fate of her baby. Questions also remain regarding the delayed response of rescue services to the hospital.