Tragedy in Islamabad: Over a Dozen Newborns Killed in Hospital Maternity Ward Fire

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — A catastrophic fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has left the nation in mourning after more than a dozen newborn babies lost their lives in a maternity ward blaze on Wednesday.

Emergency services were dispatched to the hospital, one of the capital’s primary state-run facilities, after the fire erupted on the third floor of the Mother and Child Health (MCH) unit. While rescue teams managed to bring the flames under control, the toll was devastating.

According to hospital officials, 15 infants were in the ward at the time the fire broke out. A spokesperson confirmed that only one baby was rescued from the scene, leaving families devastated by the loss of their children. Among those grieving outside the hospital gates was a distraught father, who told reporters that his three-day-old child had perished in the inferno.

Images from the site captured scenes of heartbreak as parents gathered outside the hospital, weeping as authorities cleared debris and shattered glass from the damaged unit.

High-Level Inquiry Launched

The severity of the incident has prompted an immediate response from the highest levels of the Pakistani government. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed “deep sorrow” over the tragedy and has ordered an urgent, high-level inquiry to determine the cause of the fire. A specialized committee has been tasked with submitting a comprehensive report on the incident within 24 hours.

President Asif Ali Zardari has also called for swift accountability, demanding that those responsible for any lapses in safety standards be identified and face legal action. In a statement posted to social media, the President highlighted the necessity for stricter oversight, urging officials to ensure that “effective fire safety and emergency arrangements should be ensured for the protection of patients in hospitals, especially newborn babies.”

Describing the death of the infants as a “heart-breaking and irreparable loss,” President Zardari extended his deepest sympathies to the grieving families.

The incident has sparked a wider conversation across the country regarding hospital infrastructure and the rigorous enforcement of safety protocols in public health institutions. As the investigation continues, the focus remains on the 14 newborn babies killed in hospital fire and ensuring such a disaster is never repeated.

This is a developing story. Further updates will be provided as the inquiry committee releases its findings.