Pakistan hospital fire kills 14 newborns, probe launched

A fire in a newborn nursery at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad on Wednesday killed 14 infants, with only one of 15 babies rescued Source: AP News. The blaze, which broke out around 6:45 a.m., was initially attributed to an exploding air-conditioning unit, though a preliminary hospital report suggested a nebulizer blast, accelerated by high oxygen levels Source: AP News. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an immediate investigation and suspended Federal Secretary of Health Aslam Ghauri Source: BBC.

The reaction

Grieving families and the public demanded accountability, with a candlelight vigil held at the hospital Source: AP News. Witnesses reported delays in rescue, with one father saying, "We were sitting on the road waiting for help" Source: BBC. Another mother claimed the ward door was locked, and police arrived after four hours Source: BBC. The Pakistani Taliban expressed condolences Source: AP News.

Investigation and response

A fact-finding committee, led by retired federal secretary Shahid Khan, was appointed to determine the cause and submit recommendations within 48 hours Source: AP News. Authorities ordered broader reviews of fire-safety measures at hospitals, with Punjab's government instructing the Health Department to act Source: AP News. The incident is among the deadliest hospital fires in Pakistan in recent years Source: SCMP.