14 newborns die in PIMS hospital fire

A fire broke out in the newborn nursery of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad on Wednesday morning, leaving at least 14 newborn babies burned.

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the fire broke out at about 7am in the nursery of the hospital’s children’s ward. 

Rescue officials said the blaze was brought under control and cooling work was completed. Rescue sources said an air-conditioner compressor exploded inside the nursery, causing the fire.

According to the initial inquiry report, the fire was erupted at the MCH ward. Soon after receiving the report, Rescue 1122 teams rushed to the spot and started a rescue operation.

As many as 6 fire brigade teams and 4 ambulances took part in the rescue operation and brought the fire under control.

The rescue teams immediately shifted the newborn children to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital.

Hospital records have confirmed that 14 newborn babies died after a fire broke out in a nursery. Emergency responders say they have rescued at least 19 people from the hospital.

They include 10 women, seven children, and two men. These people were evacuated from PIMS Hospital by breaking the windows.

The hospital record identified the mother of the first newborn as Javaria, whose father is Samiullah. The second newborn's mother is Aliya, whose father is Rashid. The third child's mother is Anis, whose father is Abdullah. The fourth child's mother is identified as Shakeela, whose father is Tanveer.

The fifth child's mother is Sidra, whose father is Imran. The sixth child's mother is Sunbal, whose father is Usman. The seventh child's mother is Kiran Fatima, whose father is Mohammad Saad-ur-Rehman. The eighth child's mother is Amina, whose father is Khurram. The ninth child's mother is Maria, whose father is Qayyum. The tenth child's mother is Khizra, whose father is Mudassar. The eleventh child's mother is Hafsa, whose father is Ishtiaq. The twelfth child's mother is Aroosa Saeed, whose father is Idrees Khan. 

The records also identified twins whose mother is Asia Bibi and whose father was Bahadur.

According to the hospital record, a 15th newborn girl was rescued from the nursery. Her mother is identified as Asifa and her father as Waqas.

Govt forms inquiry committee

An inquiry committee has been formed under the chairmanship of the additional deputy commissioner to investigate the incident.

The committee would determine the cause of the fire and ascertain how the incident occurred, the district administration said.

PM Shehbaz Sharif takes notice

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the fire and ordered an immediate investigation.
The prime minister expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of the newborns and directed authorities to determine the cause of the incident and identify those responsible.

President and PM condole

President, PM express grief over PIMS Hospital fire incident
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have expressed their deep heartfelt grief and sorrow over the tragic fire incident at PIMS Hospital in Islamabad.

In their separate statements, they said the tragic deaths of the newborn babies are extremely heartbreaking and an irreparable loss.

President Asif Ali Zardari directed that those responsible for the incident be identified and action be taken against them in accordance with the law.

According to a statement released by the Prime Minister's office, Shehbaz Sharif directed the authorities to conduct an immediate investigation.

He said circumstances leading to the incident must be thoroughly examined, those responsible must be identified, and the strictest possible action must be taken. 

Mohsin Naqvi condoles demise of children

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condoled the sudden and sad demise of children who were burnt alive in the nursery of the Gynaecology Ward of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad.

In his message to the parents of the children, Mohsin Naqvi expressed his heartfelt grief and sorrow over the tragic incident in which 15 children were burnt.

He said that his sympathies are with the bereaved parents, and we are with them in this hour of grief and sorrow.

Nawaz Sharif expresses grief over deaths of newborns

Former prime minister and president of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz, Nawaz Sharif, has expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of 14 newborn children in a fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad.

In a message on X, Nawaz Sharif said he was deeply saddened by the loss of the innocent children and shared the grief of their parents.

He prayed that God would give patience and strength to the families of the victims as they face the loss.

The former prime minister said the government should identify those responsible for the incident and take strict action against them.

Reporters: Muhammad Owais and Babar Shehzad Turk