Islamabad hospital fire kills 14 newborns in PIMS maternity ward
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A fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences maternity ward in Islamabad killed at least 14 newborns on August 26. Only one of the 15 infants in the ward survived. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an investigation and suspended a senior health official.
Key Facts
- The fire broke out on the third floor of the PIMS maternity ward on the morning of August 26, reportedly due to a short circuit in an air conditioning unit.
- At least 14 newborns died, and only one of the 15 infants in the ward survived, according to local media and the BBC.
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif suspended a senior health ministry official and ordered a 24-hour official report on the fire's causes.
- A father of one victim told Reuters that the ward had no fire safety measures, no emergency exits, and all doors were locked except one for visitors.
- The hospital's executive director told the BBC that the maternity ward door was not locked but had a guard to prevent infant abductions.
The Fire
The fire started on the third floor of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) maternity ward in Islamabad on the morning of August 26. A short circuit in an air conditioning unit ignited the blaze, which quickly spread to oxygen lines, accelerating the flames. Smoke filled the entire floor within minutes, and firefighters extinguished the flames before cooling technical equipment to prevent further explosions. At the time of the fire, 15 infants were in the ward; only one was rescued.
Safety Failures
Witnesses and relatives of the victims reported serious fire safety violations, including a single visitor door and locked exits. A father who lost his three-day-old daughter told AFP that rescuers took hours to arrive and that he waited by the roadside for help. The same father told Reuters that he had visited the ward for eight days and saw no fire extinguishers or emergency exits, with all doors locked except one. Hospital administration claimed duty staff were present and exits were not blocked, while the executive director said the ward door had a guard to prevent infant theft.
Government Response
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed condolences to the families and announced a thorough investigation into the tragedy. Sharif suspended a senior health ministry official and ordered a special commission to investigate the causes of the fire. Experts were instructed to submit an official report on the fire's causes within 24 hours.
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Islamabad hospital fire kills 14 newborns in PIMS maternity ward
