A fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad resulted in the deaths of 14 infants on Wednesday.
Key facts
- •The fire occurred at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in the capital city of Islamabad.
- •Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to conduct an investigation.
- •Local media reported that 16 newborns were in the ward when the fire started.
- •One infant was rescued from the ward during the blaze.
- •Local media reports have identified a faulty air-conditioning system as the suspected cause.
A fire broke out Wednesday morning at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, killing at least 14 infants. The blaze occurred on the third floor of the hospital's mother and child health ward. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an immediate investigation into the incident.
By the numbers
Details of the incident
The fire began around 7 a.m. local time. According to reports, there were 16 newborns in the ward at the time of the fire, and one infant was successfully rescued. Local media outlets have attributed the cause of the fire to a faulty air-conditioning system.
Parental accounts and hospital conditions
Parents of the deceased infants reported that the ward lacked adequate fire security measures, with one parent noting that all but one of the ward's doors were locked during the emergency. The hospital, which serves the city of Islamabad, has not yet provided an official comment regarding the incident.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Daily Sabah.
