Hospital nursery fire kills 14 newborns in Pakistan's capital, officials order immediate inquiry

A fire that broke out at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad on Wednesday morning killed 14 newborns, hospital officials said, prompting an immediate investigation by federal authorities.

The blaze started around 6:45 a.m. in the nursery of the gynecology ward when an air‑conditioning unit compressor exploded. Firefighters arrived quickly and extinguished the fire, but the heat and smoke spread through the nursery, where at least 15 infants were being cared for. One baby was rescued alive, while the rest were confirmed dead by the hospital’s neonatal team. Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal confirmed the deaths and said he was traveling from Karachi to Islamabad to oversee the investigation.

Within hours of the incident, the Islamabad district magistrate formed a multi‑agency fact‑finding committee and ordered that a report be submitted within 24 hours. The panel will examine the cause of the fire, the spread of the blaze, the adequacy of fire‑safety measures in the nursery and the effectiveness of the emergency response. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sorrow over the tragedy. “A tragedy involving children is an irreparable loss,” Sharif said, adding that an immediate investigation would be conducted. President Asif Ali Zardari also offered condolences, describing the deaths as “heartbreaking and an irreparable loss,” and called for those responsible to be identified and dealt with under the law.

Police were deployed at PIMS to maintain order as grieving families gathered. Many parents and relatives were seen crying and demanding answers about how the fire began and whether the nursery had adequate firefighting equipment. Mohammad Sami, whose baby had been in intensive care three days earlier, said she did not know whom to blame and that she had lost her child. Hospital officials told families that the bodies would be released after the necessary paperwork was completed.

The fire‑safety committee will also assess whether the nursery had fire‑extinguishing systems, smoke detectors and evacuation plans in line with national regulations. PIMS is one of Islamabad’s largest public hospitals, and the incident has raised concerns about the safety of neonatal wards across the country. The committee will report its findings to the federal government and recommend corrective actions.

The incident has shocked the nation. The Ministry of Health has called for stricter enforcement of fire‑safety standards in hospitals, especially in wards caring for newborns. The government is also reviewing the procurement and maintenance of air‑conditioning units and other mechanical systems in healthcare facilities to prevent similar incidents.

In the meantime, the families of the deceased are waiting for the bodies to be returned to them. Health minister Kamal said the immediate priority was to support the parents and facilitate the release of the infants’ bodies. The investigation will also look into whether the emergency response time was adequate and whether staff were trained to handle such emergencies.

The tragedy has highlighted the need for robust fire‑safety protocols in medical institutions and the importance of rapid response to prevent loss of life. The fact‑finding committee’s report is expected within 24 hours, and the government has pledged to take swift action to ensure such a loss does not recur.