ISLAMABAD (National Times): Fourteen newborn babies were killed and one was rescued after a fire broke out in the nursery of the Mother and Child Health Ward at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad on Wednesday morning, prompting the government to order an immediate investigation and take administrative action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to PIMS officials, 15 newborns were present in the nursery<\/strong> when the fire erupted at around 6:45 a.m.<\/strong> on the third floor of the hospital’s gynaecology and maternity facility. One baby was rescued alive, reportedly by a doctor, while 14 newborns died in the blaze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Health Minister Mustafa Kamal<\/strong> said the fire was apparently triggered by a blast in an air-conditioning unit. Other initial accounts referred to an electrical fault or short circuit. Officials said the exact cause would be determined through the ongoing investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The presence of oxygen equipment in the neonatal ward was also reported to have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The fire was reportedly confined largely to the nursery, although it produced heavy smoke and caused significant damage to the affected area. Firefighters and rescue teams reached the hospital and brought the blaze under control, with rescue personnel also conducting cooling operations after extinguishing the fire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry<\/strong> said emergency teams reached PIMS within approximately six minutes<\/strong> of receiving information about the fire. According to his account, 19 people, including seven children, were rescued<\/strong> during the operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The tragedy left grieving parents and relatives gathered outside the hospital, with some questioning the emergency response and raising concerns about access to the neonatal unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One bereaved mother, Jaweria, told AFP that she had waited and cried for hours before learning of her baby’s death and pleaded for her child to be returned to her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other parents also demanded clear information about their children’s identities and the circumstances surrounding their deaths. The accounts of delays and difficulties in reaching the neonatal unit remain subject to official verification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif<\/strong> expressed deep sorrow over the deaths and ordered an immediate, high-level investigation into the incident.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He also ordered the removal of Federal Health Secretary Aslam Ghouri<\/strong> following the tragedy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n An eight-member fact-finding committee<\/strong> has been constituted to investigate the incident. The committee includes representatives from relevant emergency services, Islamabad Police, CDA, IESCO and PIMS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The committee has been tasked with determining the cause and spread of the fire, examining the availability and effectiveness of fire-safety arrangements and assessing the emergency response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It has been directed to submit its findings within 24 hours<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n President Asif Ali Zardari<\/strong> expressed condolences to the bereaved families and called for accountability in the event of any negligence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He also stressed the importance of effective fire-safety and emergency procedures in hospitals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n First Lady and Member of the National Assembly Bibi Asifa Bhutto Zardari<\/strong> expressed profound grief over the deaths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the President’s Press Wing, she described the loss of innocent newborn lives as deeply heartbreaking, offered condolences to the affected families and called for a complete, immediate and transparent investigation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She also urged authorities to improve hospital systems and take measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n UNICEF Pakistan<\/strong> expressed deep sadness over the deaths and called for an urgent review and strengthening of fire-prevention and safety standards in health facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Authorities have indicated that the identification of some deceased infants may require forensic procedures, including DNA testing, because of the condition of the remains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Families have meanwhile sought clear information about their children’s identities and the circumstances surrounding their deaths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The government inquiry is expected to establish the precise cause of the fire, assess the hospital’s safety and emergency systems, examine the response of staff and emergency services, and determine whether administrative, technical or other failures contributed to the deaths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The findings of the inquiry will determine further administrative or legal action and are expected to provide bereaved families with an official account of what happened inside the PIMS neonatal ward.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" ISLAMABAD (National Times): Fourteen newborn babies were killed and one was rescued after a fire broke out in the nursery of the Mother and Child Health Ward at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad on Wednesday morning, prompting the government to order an immediate investigation and take administrative action. Fire Breaks Out […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":131940,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-131939","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-latest_news","entry"],"yoast_head":"\nInitial Reports Point to Electrical Fault<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Rescue Operation Underway<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Parents Seek Answers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Government Orders High-Level Inquiry<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
President Calls for Accountability<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Asifa Bhutto Calls for Transparent Investigation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
UNICEF Expresses Concern<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Identification of Deceased Infants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Investigation to Determine Responsibility<\/h2>\n\n\n\n