Islamabad PIMS Hospital Fire: 14 Newborns Dead, Several Injured

ISLAMABAD: At least 14 infants died after a fire broke out in the gynaecology ward of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) in Islamabad on Wednesday, officials said.

According to Pims officials, 15 newborns were in the nursery when the fire started, and only one child was rescued.

Rescue sources said the fire began at around 6:45am after an air-conditioner compressor exploded inside the nursery on the third floor of the MCH ward.

The district administration said 14 children were completely burnt in the fire.

Rescue teams reached the hospital soon after receiving information. Six fire brigade vehicles and four ambulances took part in the rescue operation.

The MCH ward was sealed after the incident. Parents alleged that staff were not present in the incubation centre when the fire broke out.

An eight-member inquiry committee has been formed under the chairmanship of the additional deputy commissioner general to investigate the incident. The committee will determine the cause of the fire and identify those responsible. It has been directed to submit its report within 24 hours.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an immediate investigation and called for strict action against anyone found responsible.

Expressing grief over the deaths, the prime minister said the loss of children was “irreparable”. He directed authorities to conduct a detailed investigation and determine responsibility, saying he shared “the grief of the parents”.

‘Fire spread quickly’

Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said the deaths of 14 children had been confirmed so far.

Kamal said the director general of health and the hospital secretary were present at the hospital, while he was travelling from Karachi to Islamabad.

“The fire spread very quickly, and the hospital’s electricity also went out immediately with the explosion,” Kamal said.

Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the fire was caused by a short circuit and that most of the children died from suffocation.

He said doctors, nurses and other staff were present during the incident and remained safe.

Chaudhry said the fire spread because of gas lines and plastic instruments inside the hospital. He added that the oxygen supply also contributed to the spread of the fire.

‘Inadequate fire safety arrangements’

Rescue sources described the hospital’s fire safety arrangements as inadequate.

They said there was no water at the fire point and couplings were missing from the fire hose. Emergency evacuation routes were also reportedly locked.

Rescue sources further claimed that no doctors, ward boys or other staff were present in the incubation centre when the fire occurred.

Pims Executive Director Rana Imran Sikandar said two doctors, four nurses and other staff were present in the intensive care unit (ICU) at the time of the fire.

He said one doctor managed to rescue a newborn during the incident.

Sikandar said entry to the hospital had previously been restricted because of past incidents involving child theft.

He maintained that Pims had a satisfactory fire safety system and said 24 oxygen cylinders were available at the hospital. He added that rescue teams faced no obstruction during the operation.

Sikandar vowed that action would be taken if anyone was found responsible for the tragedy.

Condolences pour in

Political leaders expressed grief over the deaths of the infants.

National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq said he was “deeply saddened” by the incident and expressed solidarity with the bereaved parents. He prayed for strength and patience for them to bear the “irreparable loss”.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi called the incident an “extremely heartbreaking and tragic event” and expressed sympathy with the grieving families.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah described the deaths as “sad and heart-wrenching”, while Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz called the deaths of the innocent children “extremely painful and distressing”.

Maryam directed authorities to ensure that firefighting equipment was available and fully functional in all hospitals.

The British High Commission also described the incident as “heartbreaking” and expressed sympathy with the children’s parents.