At least 14 newborn babies died after a fire broke out in the maternity ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad on Aug 26 morning. The fire reportedly started after an air-conditioning unit exploded in the gynaecology ward.
Hospital officials said 15 newborns were in the nursery when the fire broke out, with only one baby rescued. Emergency teams rushed to the hospital, evacuated patients and brought the blaze under control.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an immediate investigation, while a multiagency fact-finding committee was formed to determine the cause of the fire, assess fire-safety arrangements and review the emergency response. The tragedy has sparked widespread grief, with families demanding accountability and answers.
