The fire reportedly started after an air-conditioner compressor exploded inside the nursery, according to rescue sources.
15 newborns died after a fire broke out in the gynaecology ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad on Wednesday. The nursery housed 16 newborns when the fire broke out, with only one baby rescued from the ward, reported local outlet Geo News, according to PIMS officials. 14 of the 15 children killed were completely burnt, according to the district administration.
The fire reportedly started after an air-conditioner compressor exploded inside the nursery, according to rescue officials. He expressed deep grief over the deaths, saying that a tragedy involving children was an “irreparable loss”, and said he shared the grief of the bereaved parents. The incident has raised concerns over safety measures in the hospital’s neonatal and maternity facilities. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an immediate investigation into the incident and directed authorities to identify those responsible and take strict action. The Prime Minister also directed authorities to conduct a detailed review of fire-safety arrangements and the factors that contributed to the incident, with the aim of preventing similar tragedies in hospitals.
Fire Breaks Out in Hospital Gynaecology Ward
A fire erupted at approximately 7 am in the gynaecology ward located on the third floor of the MCH ward in Pakistan’s federal capital. Emergency rescue teams promptly arrived at the scene to extinguish the flames. They also focused on evacuating individuals inside the hospital and conducting cooling operations to mitigate further risks.