{
  "id": 3479653,
  "title": "Pakistan hospital fire kills at least 14 babies",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/pakistan-hospital-fire-kills-at-least-14-babies-3479653",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-26T04:53:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/asia/2026/08/26/pakistan-hospital-fire-kills-at-least-14-babies/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A fire broke out in the maternity ward of Pakistan's Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences hospital in Islamabad on Wednesday morning, resulting in at least 14 infant deaths, according to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Local media, such as Geo TV, claimed the death toll might be 15, reporting that one infant was rescued. The incident has been described as one of Pakistan's deadliest hospital fires in recent years, with government healthcare facilities often criticized for being under-resourced and mismanaged.\n\nThe fire, which occurred around 7 am local time, led to the immediate closure of the ward and the deployment of ambulances to the scene. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered a prompt investigation into the tragedy, with his office stating that those responsible must be identified and strict action taken. The ward was cordoned off, and authorities were seen outside the hospital building.\n\nParents expressed their grief and demanded justice, with Javeria lamenting, \"Give me my child,\" and Mudasir lamenting, \"I want justice.\" The incident occurred at a facility where doors, except one, were reportedly shut, and there was alleged to be no fire security in the ward. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who had been briefly treated at the hospital the previous week, did not comment on the incident.\n\nThe hospital, one of the major public healthcare facilities in Islamabad's city of approximately 1.1 million inhabitants, faces persistent criticism for its under-resourced and poorly managed state-run facilities.",
  "summary": "At least 14 babies died in a fire on Wednesday at a state-run hospital in Islamabad, the prime minister said, with local media blaming the tragedy on faulty air conditioning. The fire broke out in the maternity ward at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences hospital at around 7am local time, local broadcaster Geo TV reported. Geo TV put the death toll at 15 and said one infant was rescued.…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 11,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Pakistan hospital fire kills at least 14 babies",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/pakistan-hospital-fire-kills-at-least-14-babies",
        "published": "2026-08-26T04:53:11.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "14 babies die in Pakistan hospital blaze",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/14-babies-die-in-pakistan-hospital-blaze",
        "published": "2026-08-26T05:42:06.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "Fourteen infants killed in tragic fire at Pakistan hospital maternity ward",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/fourteen-infants-killed-in-tragic-fire-at-pakistan-hospital-maternity",
        "published": "2026-08-26T06:33:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Black smoke chokes Pakistan maternity ward as hospital fire kills 14 infants",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/black-smoke-chokes-pakistan-maternity-ward-as-hospital-fire-kills-14",
        "published": "2026-08-26T08:26:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Japan Times",
        "title": "‘Black smoke’ chokes Pakistan maternity ward as hospital fire kills 14 infants",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/black-smoke-chokes-pakistan-maternity-ward-as-hospital-fire-kills-14-3481207",
        "published": "2026-08-26T08:47:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Khaosod English",
        "title": "Hospital nursery fire kills 14 newborns in Pakistan’s capital while 1 baby is rescued",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/hospital-nursery-fire-kills-14-newborns-in-pakistans-capital-while-1",
        "published": "2026-08-26T09:57:20.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "France 24",
        "title": "Pakistan: At least 14 newborns die in hospital fire",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/pakistan-at-least-14-newborns-die-in-hospital-fire",
        "published": "2026-08-26T11:26:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "KahawaTungu",
        "title": "At least 14 babies die in Pakistan hospital fire",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/at-least-14-babies-die-in-pakistan-hospital-fire",
        "published": "2026-08-26T11:26:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC World",
        "title": "Door was locked at Pakistan hospital where fire killed 14 babies, witnesses say",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/door-was-locked-at-pakistan-hospital-where-fire-killed-14-babies",
        "published": "2026-08-26T11:55:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "14 newborn babies killed in hospital fire in Pakistan’s capital",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/26/14-newborn-babies-killed-in-hospital-fire-in-pakistans-capital",
        "published": "2026-08-26T12:24:36.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}