A fire broke out in the newborn ward at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad, killing at least 14 infants. Initial reports suggest the cause might be an electrical short circuit or an air conditioner compressor explosion. Pakistan's Prime Minister expressed deep condolences and ordered a committee to investigate and report within 24 hours to identify those responsible.
A fire occurred in the newborn ward within the maternal and child health department of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, a major public hospital in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, early this morning (26 Aug), resulting in the deaths of at least 14 newborns.
Officials reported that the fire started around 06:45 to 07:00 local time on the third floor of the building, part of the maternal and child health ward, where 15 newborns were present at the time.
Firefighters and rescue teams responded quickly and managed to control the fire shortly after. Initial reports indicated that 14 infants were taken to the intensive care unit (ICU) with severe burn injuries. Later, the Prime Minister's office confirmed that all 14 infants had died, while at least one infant was rescued.
Rescue officials also reported that they managed to evacuate at least 19 people from the hospital, including 10 women, 7 children, and 2 men.
Dr. Anisa Jalil, spokesperson for the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, stated that the fire likely resulted from an electrical short circuit. Some local media suggested the air conditioning system might be the cause, hypothesizing that an air conditioner compressor exploded within the ward, igniting the fire. However, authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause.
Following the incident, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the infants' deaths and ordered an immediate investigation, emphasizing a thorough examination of the cause and identification of anyone responsible, with strict action to be taken if negligence or wrongdoing is found.
The Prime Minister's office stated that Sharif considers incidents involving children as irreplaceable losses and extended his deepest sympathies to the families of the deceased infants.
Authorities in Islamabad have formed a fact-finding committee chaired by the Deputy Governor of the administrative district to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire, including checking for negligence or any failures in the hospital's safety systems. The committee has been instructed to submit a report within 24 hours.
Meanwhile, police reported that the infants' bodies were severely damaged by heat and flames, making traditional identification methods difficult. Therefore, DNA testing is required to confirm identities before the bodies are returned to their families.
PIMS is one of the largest hospitals in Islamabad. According to its website, the maternal and child health department has a total of 156 beds for patients.
This fire comes amid a history of serious fire incidents in Pakistan. In January, a fire at the Gul Plaza shopping center in Karachi, the country's largest city, killed 67 people. In 2021, a fire at a small factory in a Karachi community caused 16 deaths.
In 2013, a factory fire in Karachi killed nearly 300 workers. The building lacked fire exits, and many workers were trapped inside as they were confined behind iron bars.
Many fires in Pakistan have been attributed partly to lax enforcement of laws and insufficient building safety standards. Authorities are still investigating whether electrical system failures, air conditioning problems, or safety measure shortcomings contributed to this recent tragedy at the Institute of Medical Sciences.
. . .BBC/Associated Press