14 newborns die in Islamabad hospital fire, authorities launch inquiry

A blaze broke out around 6:45 a.m. Wednesday in the newborn nursery of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, killing 14 infants, officials said. The fire started after an air-conditioning unit compressor exploded in the gynecology ward, and firefighters extinguished the flames quickly, while rescue teams began cooling operations.

Hospital officials reported that at least one baby was rescued. Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal confirmed the death toll and said he was traveling from Karachi to oversee the investigation. The Islamabad district magistrate formed a multi-agency fact-finding committee tasked with submitting a report within 24 hours on the cause of the fire, safety measures in place, and the emergency response.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sorrow over the incident, and President Asif Ali Zardari offered condolences to the families. > "A tragedy involving children is an irreparable loss," Sharif said, ordering an immediate investigation.

Police were deployed at the hospital as grieving parents gathered. One mother, Mohammad Sami, who had given birth three days earlier, said she lost her child and did not know whom to blame. Hospital officials told families that the infants' bodies would be released after paperwork is completed.