14 Newborn Babies Killed In Pakistan Hospital Fire

At least 14 newborn babies have died after a fire broke out in the nursery of a government hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan, officials have confirmed.

The fire reportedly started shortly before 7:00am local time on Wednesday at the Mother and Child Centre of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Hospital.

The blaze broke out on the third floor of the facility, where the newborns were being cared for.

Local broadcaster Geo TV reported that the death toll had risen to 15, while one infant was rescued from the nursery before firefighters brought the fire under control.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condoled with the families of the victims and directed authorities to launch an immediate investigation into the incident.

Sharif, in a statement posted on X, said those found responsible would face the “strictest action”.

Preliminary findings by officials suggested that the fire could have been triggered by a short circuit in a faulty air conditioning unit.

Hospital and building fires are a recurring problem in Pakistan, where safety regulations and building codes are often poorly enforced.

In January, at least 65 people were killed after a fire swept through a crowded shopping complex in Karachi.

The Islamabad hospital fire is among the deadliest recorded in the country’s healthcare facilities.

Public hospitals in Pakistan provide subsidised medical care but frequently face challenges such as inadequate funding, overcrowding and poor management.

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