A devastating fire at a major state-run hospital in Pakistan's capital has claimed the lives of 14 newborns, sparking intense public grief and anger over emergency responses and safety measures. The tragedy unfolded early Wednesday morning in the maternal and child unit of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences located in Islamabad.
Witnesses and family members reported scenes of panic as thick smoke filled the third-floor ward, where 15 infants were housed. Only one of the babies in the unit survived the incident, which reportedly began in an air-conditioning unit.
Grieving parents and bystanders raised serious concerns regarding evacuation procedures and building safety standards. Multiple individuals claimed that access to the ward was blocked, forcing people to break through doors and windows to reach the trapped infants. Families also alleged that emergency responders and authorities experienced significant delays in reaching the scene.
Hospital administration offered a different perspective on the facility's security arrangements. A hospital official stated that the ward door was actively guarded rather than locked, explaining that restricted access is necessary to prevent infant abductions, a known security risk at public healthcare facilities in the country. Local officials also disputed claims of a delayed response, asserting that rescue personnel arrived promptly after receiving the alert.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a statement expressing profound sorrow over the disaster and ordered an immediate inquiry. As part of the initial government response, the top federal health secretary was suspended from his duties.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding public safety compliance in Pakistan, where fires have frequently resulted in high casualties due to inadequate infrastructure and weak enforcement of building codes. Earlier this year, a deadly commercial fire in Karachi also drew scrutiny over blocked exits and a lack of preventative safety measures.
Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC News. Read the original report at BBC News.
