**Newborns Killed in Pakistan Hospital Blaze**
Islamabad, Pakistan – A devastating fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad has resulted in the tragic deaths of at least fourteen newborn babies. The incident occurred early Wednesday morning, around 6:45 AM local time, in the Mother and Child Health ward located on the third floor of the hospital.
According to hospital officials and city administration, the fire reportedly started after the compressor of an air-conditioning unit exploded inside the nursery. While initial reports suggested varying casualty figures, the Islamabad administration later confirmed that 14 newborns had perished in the blaze, while the PIMS administration stated that 15 babies were present in the nursery at the time of the incident. One baby was successfully rescued by a doctor, according to PIMS spokesperson Dr. Aneeza Jalil, who also indicated that a short circuit might have been the cause of the fire.
In response to the tragedy, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for an immediate investigation into the incident, emphasizing the need for accountability. “A tragedy involving children is an irreparable loss,” Sharif stated, urging that those responsible for the fire should face the “strictest possible action.”
In light of the incident, a fact-finding committee has been established to investigate the cause of the fire and assess the adequacy of the hospital's safety systems and emergency response protocols. This tragedy has raised significant concerns regarding fire safety in public facilities, particularly in light of recent findings that indicated widespread deficiencies in fire safety measures across Islamabad.
PIMS, which was established in 1985, is the largest public-sector hospital in the capital, featuring over 150 beds in its maternity ward. The hospital has been in the spotlight recently, as former Prime Minister Imran Khan received a brief medical checkup there just days before the fire incident.
This incident comes on the heels of a broader concern regarding fire safety in public buildings in Pakistan. Earlier this year, the Capital Development Authority revealed that most of the 6,500 public and private buildings inspected lacked approved fire safety plans or relevant certificates. This survey included around 300 government buildings and highlighted the urgent need for improved safety regulations.
The tragic loss of life in this incident echoes another recent disaster in the country, where 14 children lost their lives when the roof of a tutoring center collapsed outside Lahore in June. These events have sparked public outcry and calls for reform in safety standards across various sectors.
As the investigation progresses, the families of the victims are left to mourn the loss of their children, and the community is left grappling with the implications of this tragic event. The government is under pressure to ensure that such a disaster does not occur again, and to implement necessary changes to protect vulnerable populations, especially infants in healthcare facilities.