Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Fire Kills 14 Infants at Islamabad Hospital, Probe Ordered
A fire started in a hospital ward for mothers and babies in Islamabad.
The ward reportedly had 15 babies inside.
Fourteen infants died in the fire, while one baby was reportedly saved by a doctor.
Rescue workers used fire trucks and ambulances to fight the flames and help people leave.
Officials said the fire was brought under control, but the hospital still needed cooling operations.
The exact cause is not known yet.
One official suspected an electrical short circuit, while rescue officials mentioned a possible air-conditioner compressor explosion.
Oxygen lines may have helped the fire spread quickly.
The government ordered an investigation to find out what happened and whether anyone was responsible.
At least 14 infants died after a fire broke out in the mother and child ward at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad.
The fire began around 7 a.m. on Wednesday on the ward’s third floor, where 15 babies were reportedly present.
A PIMS spokesperson suspected a short circuit, while rescue officials said an air-conditioner compressor may have exploded.
Six fire brigade vehicles and four ambulances were deployed, and officials said the fire was brought under control.
Authorities formed an inquiry committee, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an investigation and a review of hospital fire-safety arrangements.
- Who
- Fourteen infants died; hospital staff, rescue workers and officials were involved in the response.
- What
- A fire broke out in the mother and child, or gynaecology, ward at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences.
- When
- Around 7 a.m. on Wednesday.
- Where
- On the third floor of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad, Pakistan.
- Why
- The cause remains under investigation; officials cited a possible short circuit, while rescue officials mentioned a possible air-conditioner compressor explosion.
Initial Reports
Alternative Official Accounts
Possible cause of fire
Initial Reports
Rescue officials initially said an air-conditioner compressor may have exploded.
Alternative Official Accounts
A PIMS spokesperson said the blaze appeared to have been caused by a short circuit; Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said oxygen lines helped the fire spread rapidly.
Reported death toll
Initial Reports
Islamabad administration officials said 14 infants died and that their bodies were completely burnt.
Alternative Official Accounts
Earlier local media reports put the death toll at 15, while authorities were seeking DNA samples to identify some infants.
- Deaths
- 14 infants were reported killed; earlier local media reports had put the toll at 15.
- Babies in ward
- PIMS spokesperson Dr Aneeza Jalil said 15 babies were in the ward when the fire began.
- Fire location
- The blaze broke out on the third floor of the mother and child ward.
- Emergency response
- Six fire brigade vehicles and four ambulances participated in the operation.
- Suspected cause
- A PIMS spokesperson cited a possible short circuit; rescue officials mentioned a possible air-conditioner compressor explosion.
- Investigation
- An inquiry committee headed by the additional deputy commissioner general was formed.
- Government action
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an immediate investigation and a review of hospital fire-safety arrangements.
