Not less than fourteen newborn babies have died after a fire broke out at the maternity ward of one of Pakistan’s largest hospitals in Islamabad.
The incident occurred at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), where 15 newborns were reportedly inside the ward when the fire started.
According to a hospital spokesperson, only one of the babies was rescued. The fire reportedly began in an air-conditioning unit before quickly spreading after coming into contact with oxygen connections in the ward.
The tragedy has triggered shock and grief, with anguished parents gathering outside the hospital as authorities work to identify the victims.
The bodies of the newborns are expected to undergo DNA testing to help establish their identities and ensure they are handed over to the correct families.
A fact-finding committee has been set up to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and is expected to submit its report within 24 hours.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow and regret over the deaths and called for the circumstances surrounding the fire to be established.
The incident has also renewed concerns about fire safety standards in Pakistan’s public facilities.
Pakistan has experienced several deadly fires in recent years, with some incidents attributed to inadequate enforcement of building and fire-safety regulations.
Earlier this year, 67 people were reportedly killed in a shopping-centre fire in Karachi.
The deaths at PIMS have left families and hospital staff mourning as authorities begin investigations into what caused the fire and whether more could have been done to protect the vulnerable newborns.
