1 week ago
Islamabad Hospital Nursery Fire Kills Infants; Officials Order Investigation
A fire started in a hospital nursery in Islamabad, Pakistan.
The nursery held very young babies.
Reports disagreed about whether 15 or 16 babies were there.
One baby was rescued alive.
Reports also differed on whether 14 or 15 babies died.
Some officials mentioned an air-conditioner problem, while a hospital spokesperson mentioned a short circuit.
Firefighters put out the flames and checked the area so the fire would not restart.
Authorities are investigating what happened and whether the hospital had adequate safety measures.
A fire broke out Wednesday morning in the nursery of PIMS’s gynaecology or Mother and Child Health ward.
Reports said either 14 or 15 newborns died, while one baby was rescued.
The nursery reportedly held 15 or 16 newborns when the blaze began around 6:45–7 a.m.
Initial accounts blamed either an air-conditioner compressor blast or a short circuit, but neither cause was confirmed.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze, conducted cooling operations, and authorities formed an inquiry committee while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an investigation.
- Who
- Newborns, hospital staff, firefighters, rescue personnel, parents, and government officials were involved; reports said 14 or 15 infants died and one was rescued.
- What
- A fire swept through a hospital nursery, killing most of the newborns reportedly inside.
- Where
- The third-floor nursery in the gynaecology or Mother and Child Health ward at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad, Pakistan.
- When
- Wednesday morning, around 6:45–7 a.m. local time.
- Why
- The cause has not been established; reports cited an air-conditioner compressor blast or a short circuit.
Reported Accounts
Official Caveats and Investigation
Number of deaths
Reported Accounts
Geo TV, rescue sources, and several reports said 15 of 16 newborns died and one was rescued.
Official Caveats and Investigation
Reuters and Pakistani authorities reported at least 14 deaths; a PIMS spokesperson said the exact toll could not yet be confirmed because some babies may have been discharged overnight.
Cause of the fire
Reported Accounts
Rescue officials and local media accounts said an air-conditioner compressor may have exploded inside the nursery.
Official Caveats and Investigation
A PIMS spokesperson said the fire appeared to have resulted from a short circuit, while the inquiry committee is expected to establish the cause.
Hospital safety
Reported Accounts
Parents alleged inadequate fire security, and one relative said renovation work was still underway in the building.
Official Caveats and Investigation
Authorities ordered an investigation into the incident, emergency response, and safety arrangements before drawing conclusions.
Key facts
- Reported death toll
- Reports gave differing figures of 14 or 15 newborns killed.
- Babies in nursery
- Reports said 15 or 16 newborns were present when the fire began.
- Rescued
- One newborn was reported rescued alive.
- Location
- The fire occurred on the third floor of PIMS’s gynaecology or Mother and Child Health ward.
- Emergency response
- Six fire brigade vehicles and four ambulances were reportedly deployed; firefighters later carried out cooling operations.
- Possible causes
- Rescue officials cited a possible air-conditioner compressor explosion, while a PIMS spokesperson cited a possible short circuit.
- Investigation
- The district administration formed an inquiry committee, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an immediate probe.
Quotes
Islamabad district administration
Local administrative authority overseeing the emergency response
“The fire was immediately brought under control, and the children were immediately shifted to the intensive care unit.”
livemint.com
“Any negligence in safety measures is unacceptable,”
livemint.com
Dr Aneeza Jalil
Spokesperson for the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences
“Some of the babies may have been discharged during the night so the exact number [of casualties] cannot be shared right now.”
livemint.com
telegraphindia.com
Sources
Pakistan: 15 babies dead in fire at Islamabad hospital
Fire breaks out at Pakistan's state-run hospital, at least 15 infants die, one rescued: Here's what we know
Islamabad Hospital Fire:15 Newborns Killed In Blaze In Gynaecology Ward, AC Compressor Blast Suspected - VIDEO
Deadly fire sweeps through Islamabad hospital nursery, kills 14 newborns
Pakistan: At least 14 infants killed in fire at Islamabad's PIMS hospital
Islamabad hospital fire kills infants, local media reports - Telegraph India
At least 14 infants killed in Islamabad hospital fire
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