Fire at PIMS gynaecology ward kills newborns; probe ordered

Islamabad: A fire broke out in the gynaecology ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad on Wednesday, killing 15 newborns. Only one newborn could be rescued alive.The fire reportedly broke out at around 7 am after an air-conditioning compressor blast inside the nursery in the gynaecology ward of the hospital, local media reported. Rescue teams were deployed to the hospital and worked to extinguish the fire and evacuate those inside while carrying out cooling operations at the site. Visuals of the rescue operation posted on social media showed firefighters entering the nursery, located on the third floor of the hospital, by breaking the glass of the window.اسلام اباد کے پمز ہسپتال میں اگ لگنے کا واقعہ نرسری میں اگ لگنے سے 14 بچے جان کی بازی ہار گئے ریسکیو ٹیمیں موقع پر پہنچ گئی بتایا گیا اگ صبح سات بجے کے قریب لگی پھر کنڈیشن کمپریسر میں خرابی کے باعث اگ لگی اور ایئر کنڈیشن کمپریسر پھٹنے سے افسوسناک واقعہ پیش ایا pic.twitter.com/Pem7pV5r3B— Tariqsumair (@Tariqsumair2) August 26, 2026 Rescue officials said that the fire had been extinguished and teams were carrying out cooling operations at the site. The nursery housed 16 newborns at the time of the fire.Pakistan Media Claims India Confirmed Participation For South Asian Games 2027 In Islamabad, Lahore & PeshawarAuthorities are now probing the circumstances surrounding the fire and the deaths of the newborns.PIMS, one of Islamabad’s major government hospitals. The hospital has previously treated prominent Pakistani political figures. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan was taken to PIMS for a medical examination following a court-mandated health checkup.

ISLAMABAD: Fourteen infants were killed in a fire that broke out in the gynaecology ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) early on Wednesday. Footage aired on television showed rescue workers using ladders and going through broken windows to access the affected area. In a statement, the Islamabad administration said that the fire broke out on the third floor of the Mother and Child Hospital’s ward. It said that rescue teams rushed to the scene, with six fire brigade vehicles and four ambulances taking part in the rescue operation. “The fire was immediately brought under control and the children were immediately shifted to the intensive care unit,” it said, adding that 14 children “were completely burnt”. It said that an inquiry committee headed by the additional deputy commissioner general had been formed to investigate the incident. Pims Spokesperson Dr Aneeza Jalil told Dawn that 15 babies were in the ward. Asked about the cause of the incident, she said that the fire — which erupted at 7am — appeared to have erupted due to a short circuit. “At least one baby was saved by a doctor,” she said. Malik Israr, whose niece was admitted to the gynae ward, told Dawn that it was unfortunate the nursery was housed in a building in which repair and renovation work was ongoing. “After the fire erupted, they told patients to vacate the building. Women who had just given birth had to rush down the stairs from the second floor,” he said. Pims, established in 1985, is Islamabad’s biggest public sector hospital. It is one of two of the oldest health facilities in the federal capital and comprises several hospitals and teaching institutes. Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani expressed deep grief and sorrow over the tragic incident. In a statement, he offered his condolences to the families affected. He said effective safety measures, fire safety systems and all necessary arrangements to deal with emergencies must be ensured in hospitals to prevent such incidents. “Any negligence in safety measures is unacceptable,” he said. Gilani urged the relevant authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident and take effective and practical steps to prevent such tragedies in the future. This is a developing story that is being updated as the situation evolves. Initial reports in the media can sometimes be inaccurate. We will strive to ensure timeliness and accuracy by relying on credible sources, such as concerned, qualified authorities and our staff reporters.