A blaze broke out early on Wednesday in a neonatal unit at a prominent government hospital in the capital of Pakistan, resulting in the tragic deaths of 14 infants, as confirmed by hospital authorities and government sources. The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad was home to around 15 newborns in the unit when the fire started around 6:45 a.m. local time, following an explosion of an air-conditioning unit compressor on the third floor of the facility, according to information provided by the hospital and rescue teams.
The fire was contained within the neonatal unit in the gynecology ward, with the rest of the hospital unaffected and no additional injuries reported, as indicated by witnesses and hospital officials. Rescuers were observed using ladders to access the area through shattered windows in television coverage of the incident.
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal verified the tragic loss of at least 14 infants in the fire. Dr. Aneeza Jalil, a hospital representative, mentioned that one baby was saved by a doctor. While six infants’ remains had been returned to their families, the remaining bodies were scheduled for release shortly.
The news of the children’s deaths triggered shock and mourning nationwide. Police were dispatched to the hospital as aggrieved parents and relatives gathered, some in tears, demanding accountability and seeking answers regarding the cause of the fire and the sufficiency of firefighting equipment in the neonatal unit.
One mother, Mohammad Sami, shared her heart-wrenching experience of giving birth three days prior, with her newborn receiving intensive care in the affected unit. Overwhelmed with grief, she expressed her loss and confusion, stating, “I have lost my child.”
Firefighters responded promptly to extinguish the flames, and rescue operations commenced at the scene, as reported by local media. Islamabad Chief Commissioner Suhail Ashraf later confirmed the fire was under control, with authorities working closely with the affected families.
Following the incident, the Islamabad district magistrate appointed a diverse fact-finding committee tasked with submitting a comprehensive report within 24 hours. The committee’s mandate includes investigating the fire’s origins and spread, assessing the adequacy of fire safety measures, and evaluating the emergency response, as outlined in a government directive.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the tragic event. Sharif emphasized the irreparable nature of a tragedy involving children and promptly ordered an investigation. President Asif Ali Zardari extended condolences to the bereaved families, labeling the deaths as heartbreaking and irreplaceable. Zardari urged the identification and legal action against those responsible and emphasized the importance of robust fire safety protocols and emergency procedures in hospitals, particularly in units caring for newborns.
PIMS, a key public hospital in Islamabad, previously known for conducting a medical examination of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan, finds itself at the center of this heartbreaking incident.