At least 14 newborn babies were killed after a fire broke out in the nursery of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), one of Islamabad’s major government hospitals, on Wednesday morning, in a devastating tragedy that has triggered an immediate investigation by the Pakistani government.
The fire erupted at around 6:45–7 am local time on the third floor of the hospital’s Maternal and Child Health (MCH) and gynaecology ward, where newborn babies were being treated. Initial reports differed over the number of infants inside the nursery, with officials and local media putting the figure at between 15 and 16. At least one baby was rescued.
Fire breaks out in newborn nursery
According to rescue officials and local media reports cited by Reuters and other outlets, the blaze appears to have started after a fault involving an air-conditioning unit, with an AC compressor reportedly exploding inside the nursery. The fire and smoke spread rapidly through the ward, leaving critically vulnerable newborns with little chance of escape.
Reuters reported that the affected ward was subsequently sealed off as emergency services responded to the incident. The exact cause of the fire, however, remains under investigation, and authorities are expected to examine whether equipment failure, maintenance issues or shortcomings in emergency preparedness contributed to the deaths.
The early accounts also underline the particular vulnerability of the victims. The infants were being treated in a specialised hospital nursery, with newborns dependent on medical equipment and unable to evacuate independently.
Only one infant rescued
The scale of the loss became clear as rescue and medical teams entered the affected ward.
PIMS officials said the nursery housed newborns when the fire broke out and that only one infant could be rescued, while the remaining babies died in the blaze. Initial official accounts put the death toll at 14, although some local media reports subsequently reported 15 deaths as authorities continued to assess the situation.
The discrepancy in the reported toll and the number of babies present reflects the fact that the incident was still developing on Wednesday. Reuters reported that local broadcaster Geo TV put the number of infants in the ward at 16, with one rescued, while other official accounts initially referred to 15 babies.
Shehbaz Sharif orders immediate investigation
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an immediate investigation into the fire and called for strict action against anyone found responsible.
The government has indicated that the inquiry will examine not only how the fire began but also the hospital's safety arrangements and emergency response. The federal health authorities have also announced a fact-finding process to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Sharif expressed grief over the deaths and directed authorities to determine responsibility. The demand for accountability comes as questions grow over safety standards in one of the capital's major public hospitals.
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal confirmed the deaths and said a full investigation would be carried out. According to reports, a multi-agency committee was tasked with examining the cause of the fire, safety measures and the emergency response.
The tragedy has left families facing an unbearable loss, with the victims among the most vulnerable patients in the hospital.
Pak media reports said grieving relatives gathered at the hospital as authorities began dealing with the aftermath and identifying the victims. The circumstances of the deaths are expected to form a central part of the investigation, particularly whether the nursery had adequate fire-safety systems and whether emergency evacuation procedures were sufficient for critically ill newborns.
