Islamabad Hospital Fire Kills 14 Newborns as Pakistan Orders Urgent Investigation

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Fourteen newborn babies have died after a fire tore through a nursery at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, triggering national grief and an urgent government investigation.

The blaze broke out early Wednesday, August 26, in the hospital’s mother and child health section. Officials said the fire was believed to have started after an air-conditioning unit exploded. The flames then spread rapidly through the nursery, where critically ill newborns were receiving medical care.

According to hospital officials, 15 babies were inside the nursery when the fire broke out. A doctor managed to rescue one infant, while the other 14 babies died.

The fire was contained to the nursery, and officials said other sections of the major government hospital were not affected. Rescue workers used ladders to reach the third-floor ward through broken windows as smoke poured from the building.

Government launches immediate inquiry

The tragedy has prompted Pakistan’s federal government to launch an investigation into both the cause of the fire and the hospital’s emergency preparedness.

An inquiry committee was formed to examine how the fire began, how quickly it spread and whether appropriate fire-safety measures were in place. Officials were also instructed to assess the hospital’s emergency response and evacuation procedures.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sorrow over the deaths and ordered immediate action following the incident. Health Secretary Aslam Ghauri was removed from his position as the government moved to determine whether negligence or safety failures contributed to the disaster.

Health Minister Mustafa Kamal also traveled to Islamabad to oversee the investigation.

Families demand answers

The deaths have left families devastated, with grieving parents gathering outside the hospital and demanding explanations.

Some relatives questioned whether the nursery had adequate fire protection, emergency exits and equipment to deal with a rapidly spreading blaze. Officials are expected to examine those concerns as part of the investigation.

Hospital spokesperson Dr. Aneeza Jalil said one baby was rescued by a doctor. She also said the bodies of several victims had already been handed over to their families, with arrangements being made for the remaining victims.

President Asif Ali Zardari offered condolences to the families and called for accountability, while urging hospitals to strengthen fire-safety procedures and emergency preparedness.

Questions over hospital safety

The incident has renewed concerns about safety standards in public hospitals, particularly in specialized units where newborns may depend on incubators, oxygen and other equipment.

The investigation is expected to determine whether the air-conditioning failure alone caused the deaths or whether additional safety shortcomings contributed to the scale of the tragedy.

For the families who lost their children, however, the immediate priority is mourning and receiving answers about how such a devastating incident was able to occur inside a hospital nursery.

Authorities have pledged to establish the facts and determine responsibility as the investigation continues.