Fifteen newborn babies were killed and several others severely burned after a fire broke out early Wednesday morning in the nursery ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad.
According to rescue officials and hospital sources, the fire has been brought under control and cooling operations are underway. Preliminary reports suggest the fire may have been caused by a short circuit or an explosion in an air-conditioner compressor.
According to media reports, a fire suddenly broke out in the nursery of PIMS, Islamabad’s largest government hospital. The blaze quickly engulfed the entire ward. Fifteen newborn babies died from suffocation and severe burns, while several injured babies were shifted to other wards.
Rescue 1122 and fire brigade teams rushed to the scene after receiving information about the incident. They brought the fire under control and began cooling operations in the affected ward.
There are conflicting reports about the exact time and cause of the fire. One rescue report said the fire broke out around 6:45am. Other statements from rescue officials put the time at around 7am.
Similarly, hospital sources said the fire started after an air-conditioner compressor in the gynaecology ward exploded. Initial administrative reports, however, identified a short circuit as the main cause.
Hospital Sources Reveal Details of Rescue Efforts
According to hospital sources, the ward quickly filled with thick smoke after the fire broke out, causing panic and chaos.
A lady doctor on duty reportedly tried to rescue the babies on her own. She managed to bring only one baby to safety, while there was no opportunity to rescue the others.
Initially, rescue officials confirmed the deaths of four babies. Hospital sources later confirmed that the death toll had risen to 15 newborns.
PIMS is Islamabad’s main and busiest government hospital. Thousands of patients, including newborn babies, receive treatment there every day.
Such a major tragedy at a critical medical facility like PIMS raises serious questions about administrative negligence and inadequate safety systems.
The deaths of 15 innocent newborns highlight concerns over the maintenance of electrical wiring and air-conditioning systems in hospital buildings.
