At least 14 newborn infants died after a fire broke out Wednesday morning in the nursery of a government-run hospital in Islamabad, according to statements from officials. The fire occurred on the third floor of the Mother and Child Centre at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).
The incident began shortly before 7:00 a.m. local time. Emergency services were dispatched to the scene, and firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze.
Local broadcaster Geo TV reported a death toll of 15 and stated that one infant was rescued from the ward.
In a statement posted on the social media platform X, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed condolences to the families of the infants who died. Sharif also ordered an immediate investigation into the cause of the fire and said that those found responsible for any negligence would face “the strictest action.”
Initial information from officials suggests the fire may have been caused by an electrical short circuit originating from an air conditioning unit. An official investigation is underway to determine the exact cause.
Building fires have occurred at other locations in Pakistan in recent years. In January, a fire at a shopping complex in the southern city of Karachi resulted in 65 deaths, according to reports from that time. Building safety regulations and enforcement have been subjects of public discussion following such incidents.
