Rescue report finds PIMS fire safety equipment inadequate

Capital Rescue has submitted its report on the fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad, the 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Wednesday.

According to the report, the fire emergency was reported at 6.45am. The fire brigade and rescue teams reached the scene within seven minutes of receiving the alert.

The Capital Emergency Service and the Capital Development Authority fire department took immediate action and brought the fire under control.

The report found that the hospital did not have enough fire-fighting equipment and that some of the available equipment was not in proper condition.

Seven children had already died by the time rescue teams reached the nursery. Rescue workers managed to bring seven other children out of the nursery alive.

The report also found that all emergency evacuation routes in the hospital were blocked. It further alleged that hospital security staff created difficulties for rescue workers during the operation.

Separately, the PIMS administration has formed a five-member committee to investigate the incident. The committee has been asked to prepare its report within 48 hours.

Professor Umar Farooq will head the committee. Its other members are Dr Aneesa Jaleel, Dr Mutahir Shah, Dr Saadia Nisar and Dr Sharjeel Zaheer.

The committee will examine the available evidence and present its recommendations as part of its investigation.

Reporter: Tayyab Saif and Awais Kiani