1 week ago
Islamabad Maternity Ward Fire Kills 14 Newborns, Sparks Probe
A fire started early Wednesday in a hospital ward for mothers and newborn babies in Islamabad.
Fourteen babies died in the fire.
Officials said a spark from an air conditioner may have started the flames.
They said 19 people, including seven children, were rescued.
Families and witnesses said there was thick black smoke and that help came too slowly.
They also reported that a neonatal unit door was locked and that the ward had no sprinklers.
Government officials disagreed about how quickly rescuers arrived.
An investigation will examine the fire, hospital safety and the emergency response.
A dawn fire on Wednesday killed 14 newborns in a third-floor maternity ward at Islamabad’s Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences.
Officials said CCTV indicated that a spark from an air-conditioning unit started the blaze and spread it within a minute.
Nineteen people, including seven children, were rescued, while witnesses described thick smoke, broken windows and chaotic conditions.
Authorities said emergency teams arrived within six minutes, but parents and witnesses alleged rescuers took almost two hours to reach the ward.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an investigation, called for strict action and dismissed Health Secretary Aslam Ghori.
- Who
- Fourteen newborn babies died; hospital patients, families, staff, rescuers and Pakistani authorities were involved.
- What
- A fire killed 14 infants in a hospital maternity and child health ward.
- Where
- The third-floor Mother and Child Health Ward at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad, Pakistan.
- When
- The fire broke out around dawn on Wednesday; an emergency call was reportedly made just before 7:00 a.m.
- Why
- Officials blamed a suspected spark from an air-conditioning unit, while investigators are examining whether inadequate safety facilities or other failures contributed.
Officials’ account
Families’ and witnesses’ account
Cause of the blaze
Officials’ account
Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said CCTV showed a spark from the air conditioner falling and spreading the fire within a minute.
Families’ and witnesses’ account
Families and witnesses focused on possible safety failures, including the lack of sprinklers and reports that a neonatal intensive care unit door was locked.
Speed of rescue
Officials’ account
Islamabad’s chief commissioner said responders arrived immediately, while Deputy Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry said teams reached the hospital in six minutes.
Families’ and witnesses’ account
Parents and witnesses said rescuers took almost two hours to reach the ward and described waiting outside while babies remained inside.
Responsibility
Officials’ account
Authorities ordered a formal probe into the fire and hospital facilities; officials said there was no negligence in rescue operations.
Families’ and witnesses’ account
Families questioned the hospital’s fire-safety arrangements, evacuation conditions and whether delays or other failures contributed to the deaths.
Key facts
- Deaths
- 14 newborn babies
- Rescued
- 19 people, including seven children
- Hospital
- Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences
- Suspected cause
- A spark from an air-conditioning unit, according to officials
- Fire equipment
- Officials said 26 fire extinguishers were used; the ward had no water sprinklers
- Response dispute
- Authorities said responders arrived in six minutes, while witnesses said rescue teams arrived after almost two hours
- Government action
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an investigation and Health Secretary Aslam Ghori was dismissed
Quotes
Shagufta Parveen
A mother whose 10-day-old baby survived the hospital fire
“There was thick black smoke inside and patients were trapped... Rescue teams arrived after almost two hours (after the fire started).”
NDTV
“People were screaming. There was black smoke. We ran for our lives. Thank God my baby is safe.”
NDTV
Sources
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