ISLAMABAD: Fifteen newborns died after a fire broke out at the nursery of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, hospital and district administration officials said.
Sixteen babies were in the nursery when the fire started. According to hospital officials, a female doctor was able to rescue one child, while the other 15 died. Officials said the children suffered severe burns.
Rescue teams managed to bring the fire under control, and cooling operations were later started at the affected area. Initial information from the authorities suggested that the fire may have started after an air-conditioner compressor exploded. The cause has not yet been confirmed.
The fire was reported on the third floor of the MCH Ward. Six fire brigade vehicles and four ambulances took part in the emergency response after rescue teams were alerted.
The deaths have prompted an investigation into what happened inside the nursery and how the fire spread. The district administration has formed an inquiry committee headed by the Additional Deputy Commissioner.
The committee will look into the cause of the fire and examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths. It will also determine whether any lapse in safety measures, equipment or emergency response played a role.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the tragedy and expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased children. He directed the authorities to carry out a detailed investigation and identify those responsible if negligence is found.
The prime minister said the loss of the newborns was deeply distressing and called for strict action against anyone found responsible.
The investigation will now establish the exact sequence of events, including how the fire started, how the emergency response unfolded and whether the nursery had adequate arrangements to deal with a fire emergency.
