Fire in Islamabad hospital kills 14 newborns

A fire in the maternity ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad on Wednesday killed 14 newborns, with one infant rescued, according to hospital and government officials. The blaze, which broke out around 7:00 a.m. local time, was reportedly caused by an exploding air-conditioning compressor in the neonatal unit Source: El Confidencial. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an immediate investigation, calling the loss of children "irreparable" Source: Euronews.

The fire

The fire started on the third floor of the maternal and child health unit, where 15 or 16 newborns were present Source: ABC. The hospital's executive director, Imran Sikandar, confirmed 14 deaths and one survival Source: El Confidencial. Authorities said the infants suffered severe burns, requiring DNA testing for identification Source: Euronews.

Conflicting accounts

Witnesses and officials disagree on the emergency response. Khurram Mehmood, a father who lost his three-day-old baby, told AFP that rescuers "took hours to arrive" Source: El Colombiano. However, Islamabad's chief commissioner, Sohail Ashraf, said teams "arrived immediately" and controlled the fire Source: Emol. Witnesses also claimed that guards blocked exits and that the neonatal intensive care unit door was locked Source: El Colombiano.

Aftermath

Families gathered outside the hospital awaiting identification of the bodies. UNICEF urged Pakistan to strengthen fire prevention and safety standards in health facilities Source: Clarín. The incident highlights the country's deficient safety laws and building codes, which make fires common Source: Excelsior.