14 newborns killed in fire at Islamabad hospital, authorities say

Fourteen newborns were killed on Wednesday after a fire broke out in the mother and child ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, authorities said.

The fire broke out on the third floor of the hospital, which is the largest public hospital in Pakistan’s capital. PIMS spokesperson Dr Aneeza Jalil told Dawn that 15 babies were in the ward.

“At least one baby was saved by a doctor,” she said.


The Islamabad administration said rescue teams reached the hospital soon after the fire was reported. Six fire brigade vehicles and four ambulances took part in the operation.

“The fire was immediately brought under control,” the administration said. It added that an inquiry committee headed by the additional deputy commissioner general had been formed to investigate the incident.

Earlier, media reports had said that 15 infants were killed.

Jalil said the fire started at around 7 am and appeared to have been caused by a short circuit. The flames had been extinguished, but the cooling process would take some time, she added.