Pakistan suspends eight officials over hospital fire that killed 14 babies
Interim inquiry finds lack of fire safety protocols at Islamabad hospital, prompting suspensions and criminal probe.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has suspended eight officials following an investigation into a fatal fire at a hospital in Islamabad that claimed the lives of 14 newborn infants, according to a statement from his office. The fire occurred on Wednesday at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), where officials stated that only one baby was rescued from the nursery on the third floor.
The inquiry revealed that the nursery lacked fire safety measures, including an alarm system and sprinklers, as well as inadequate emergency protocols and training. Sharif directed that criminal proceedings be taken against those held responsible for the tragedy. The eight individuals suspended encompassed the hospital's executive director, joint executive directors, the head of the neonatal department, two other doctors, the assistant director for security, and the head of the Capital Development Authority's emergency services.
Additionally, a security company and its officials were targeted for action. Sharif emphasized that those guilty of criminal negligence should face no leniency.
Written by urgent.news from Associated Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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