15 newborns died after a fire broke out in the gynaecology ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad on Wednesday.
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According to PIMS officials, the nursery housed 16 newborns when the fire broke out, with only one baby rescued from the ward, reported local outlet Geo News. The fire reportedly started after an air-conditioner compressor exploded inside the nursery, according to rescue officials.
The blaze broke out at around 7 am in the gynaecology ward of the hospital on the third floor of the MCH ward, in Pakistan's federal capital. Rescue teams were deployed to the hospital and worked to extinguish the fire and evacuate those inside while carrying out cooling operations at the site.
According to the district administration, 14 of the 15 children killed were completely burnt.
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. 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 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.
Meanwhile, an inquiry committee headed by the additional deputy commissioner general has also been formed to determine how the fire started and establish responsibility. The blaze broke out in the hospital’s gynaecology ward, where the nursery was located.
