ISLAMABAD – At least 14 newborn babies were killed after a devastating fire swept through a nursery at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad early Wednesday morning, in one of the deadliest hospital fire tragedies in the country’s recent history.
The blaze erupted shortly before 7am in the Mother and Child Health (MCH) Ward of the state-run hospital, triggering a major rescue operation and leaving families of the newborns devastated.
The nursery was located on the third floor of the hospital, where newborn babies were receiving medical care. Conflicting early reports emerged regarding the exact number of infants present at the time of the incident. However, the official death toll confirmed by the Prime Minister’s Office stood at 14 newborns, while some media reports put the number of fatalities at 15.
Hospital and rescue officials said the fire spread rapidly after breaking out in the nursery area. Preliminary reports suggested that the blaze may have been caused by a fault in the air-conditioning system. Rescue sources said the compressor of an air-conditioning unit apparently exploded, sparking the fire, while other early reports pointed to a possible short circuit.
The exact cause of the tragedy will be determined through an official investigation.
At least one newborn was rescued from the ward. Emergency teams rushed to the scene soon after the fire was reported, while firefighters worked to extinguish the flames and prevent them from spreading to other parts of the Mother and Child Health facility.
The fire was eventually brought under control, after which rescue personnel continued cooling operations at the affected section of the hospital.
Rescue Operation and Emergency Response
The incident triggered scenes of panic at one of Islamabad’s busiest public healthcare facilities. Ambulances, firefighters and emergency personnel were deployed to the hospital as worried parents and family members gathered outside the Mother and Child Health Ward.
Authorities cordoned off the affected section as rescue teams entered the building and worked in the smoke-filled area.
According to reports, the nursery was part of the hospital’s gynecology and maternal health services. The fire reportedly started around 6:45am to 7am, when most families were still inside or near the hospital following overnight medical treatment.
Initial information indicated that at least 15 newborns were in the nursery when the blaze erupted. Later reports citing local broadcasters said 16 infants had been present, with only one successfully rescued.
The discrepancy in the number of babies present and the death toll was expected to be clarified through the official investigation.
The tragedy has raised serious questions about fire safety, electrical systems, emergency evacuation arrangements and the protection of highly vulnerable patients inside major public hospitals.
Newborns receiving treatment in nursery and neonatal facilities are among the most vulnerable patients during any emergency. Many require incubators, oxygen support and specialised equipment and cannot be evacuated without immediate medical and emergency assistance.
Prime Minister Orders Immediate Investigation
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow and grief over the deaths and directed authorities to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation into the incident.
The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that 14 newborns had lost their lives in the fire.
Describing the loss of children as irreparable, the prime minister said the circumstances surrounding the tragedy must be thoroughly examined and those found responsible must be identified.
He directed the concerned authorities to determine the cause of the fire and ensure strict action against anyone found responsible for negligence.
The federal government’s response has intensified public attention on the safety arrangements in hospitals, particularly government-run institutions that provide medical treatment to large populations.
PIMS is one of the largest and most important public hospitals in Islamabad, serving residents of the federal capital as well as patients from surrounding areas of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country.
Cause of Fire Yet to Be Confirmed
While preliminary reports pointed towards an air-conditioning system malfunction, authorities had not officially released a final determination regarding the cause of the fire.
Some reports said the compressor of an air-conditioning unit exploded inside the nursery, while others suggested a short circuit or electrical fault may have triggered the blaze.
The investigation is expected to examine the hospital’s electrical infrastructure, air-conditioning equipment, fire alarms, smoke detection systems, firefighting equipment and emergency response procedures.
Investigators are also expected to establish how quickly the fire spread and whether the nursery had sufficient emergency exits and fire suppression systems.
The incident has renewed concerns about safety standards in public healthcare institutions across Pakistan, where overcrowding, ageing infrastructure and limited resources have often created serious challenges.
Experts and public health advocates have repeatedly stressed that hospitals require particularly stringent fire safety systems because many patients, including newborns, elderly people, persons with disabilities and critically ill individuals, may be unable to evacuate without assistance.
The deaths at PIMS are likely to intensify calls for comprehensive fire safety audits of major hospitals throughout the country.
Nation Mourns Youngest Victims
The deaths of the newborns have sent shockwaves across Pakistan, with the tragedy prompting widespread grief and condolences.
The scale of the loss is particularly heartbreaking because the victims had only recently entered the world and were receiving medical care when the fire broke out.
For their parents, the hospital had been a place of hope and treatment. Instead, the families were confronted with an unimaginable tragedy within hours.
The incident stands as one of the most devastating emergencies to strike a Pakistani healthcare facility in recent years.
As the official investigation begins, attention will focus not only on determining the immediate cause of the fire but also on ensuring that the deaths lead to meaningful improvements in hospital safety.
For now, Islamabad remains in mourning as families grieve the loss of 14 newborn babies in a tragedy that has shaken the entire country.
This is a developing story and the death toll and other details may be updated as official authorities release further information.
Dr. H. Zafar is a distinguished writer and analyst associated with Press Network of Pakistan as Associate Editor. With a strong academic background and years of research experience, she brings depth, clarity, and analytical rigor to her writings.
