Islamabad hospital fire kills 14 newborns, officials blame faulty air conditioner
A fire broke out in a maternity ward at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad, killing 14 infants, authorities said. Witnesses reported thick black smoke, locked doors, and a delayed emergency response, with some saying guards initially blocked exits. The blaze is attributed to a faulty air conditioner, according to local officials.
The blaze originated in the neonatal intensive care unit's air conditioning system on the third floor of the Mother and Child Health Ward at PIMS, Islamabad's premier public hospital. Witnesses described thick black smoke, locked ward doors, and security guards initially preventing families from leaving, with some patients requiring window breakage for escape. Rescue teams reportedly arrived roughly two hours after the fire began.
Pakistan has a documented pattern of deadly fires in large buildings, attributed to weak safety regulations and inconsistent enforcement. Recent tragedies include a Karachi shopping centre fire killing over 65 people in January, and a 2012 garment factory blaze that claimed at least 250 lives. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered a thorough investigation and strict action against those responsible.
This tragedy could intensify public scrutiny of hospital safety standards across Pakistan, potentially prompting families to question the adequacy of emergency preparedness in medical facilities. The locked doors and delayed response may erode trust in public healthcare institutions, while the deaths of so many infants could galvanize demands for stricter building codes and fire-safety