At least 14 newborn babies died after a fire broke out at the maternity and child health (MCH) ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad on Wednesday, prompting the government to launch an investigation into the tragedy and concerns over fire safety arrangements at the hospital.
The blaze erupted in the hospital’s nursery and neonatal intensive care area, with officials saying the fire spread rapidly and most of the victims died from asphyxiation. The incident triggered a major rescue operation involving fire brigade vehicles and ambulances.
Rescue operation sparks conflicting accounts
The district administration said rescue teams reached the hospital immediately after receiving information about the fire. Six fire brigade vehicles and four ambulances participated in the operation.
However, eyewitnesses gave a different account, telling Geo News that fire brigade and rescue personnel arrived more than half an hour after the incident. They said hospital staff initially rushed to evacuate people after the fire broke out.
One elderly eyewitness said patients and their families were forced to rescue themselves, while another alleged that hospital staff did not use available firefighting equipment to extinguish the blaze.
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State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry, however, said the rescue team reached PIMS within six minutes of receiving the fire alert. He said administrative officers were also present at the hospital following the rescue operation.
Chaudhry confirmed that the bodies of 14 children had been handed over to their families. He said the initial rescue operation had been completed and its report was forwarded to the prime minister and interior minister.
Inquiry ordered into deaths
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an immediate investigation into the incident and directed authorities to take strict action against anyone found responsible.
Samiullah, father of a newborn victim, is consoled following a deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) hospital in Islamabad, August 26, 2026. — Reuters
The prime minister expressed deep sorrow over the deaths, describing the loss of children as an “irreparable” tragedy and saying that he shared the grief of the bereaved parents.
The MCH ward was sealed following the incident. Parents also alleged that hospital staff were absent from the incubation centre when the fire broke out.
The government subsequently formed an inquiry committee to determine the cause of the fire and establish responsibility. Former interior secretary Shahid Khan was appointed chairman of the committee, while an earlier committee had also been formed under the additional deputy commissioner.
During a high-level meeting, PM Shehbaz expressed strong displeasure over the incident and ordered the immediate suspension of Federal Health Secretary Aslam Ghori.
Fire spread rapidly
Health Minister Mustafa Kamal confirmed that 14 newborns had died in the fire. He said senior health officials, including the director general of health and the hospital secretary, were present at the hospital.
Kamal said the fire spread extremely quickly and that electricity to the hospital was cut off immediately following an explosion.
Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the fire was caused by a short circuit and that most of the children died because of asphyxiation.
He said doctors, nurses and other hospital staff were present during the incident and remained safe.
According to Chaudhry, gas lines and plastic equipment inside the hospital contributed to the rapid spread of the flames, while the oxygen supply also intensified the fire.
Fire safety arrangements questioned
Rescue sources raised serious concerns over the hospital’s fire safety arrangements, describing them as inadequate.
They said there was no water available at the designated fire point and that couplings were missing from the fire hose. Emergency evacuation routes were also reportedly locked, potentially complicating efforts to evacuate patients.
Rescue officials further claimed that no doctors, ward attendants or other staff members were present inside the incubation centre when the fire broke out.
A CDA Fire Brigade Department report later identified shortcomings in fire prevention and life-protection arrangements at PIMS.
According to the report, the fire brigade received the emergency call at 6:55pm and its first vehicle reached the hospital within six minutes. However, the report said the hospital’s fire prevention arrangements did not meet prescribed safety standards.
It also found that emergency exits were permanently closed from the outside and that obstacles were present along evacuation routes. PIMS security personnel allegedly obstructed firefighters during the initial response, while crowd management arrangements were also deemed inadequate.
PIMS denies staff absence
PIMS Executive Director Rana Imran Sikandar disputed claims that staff were absent from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
He said two doctors, four nurses and other staff members were present when the fire broke out. According to Sikandar, one doctor successfully rescued a newborn during the incident.
He said restrictions on hospital entry had previously been imposed because of past incidents involving child theft.
Sikandar maintained that PIMS had a satisfactory fire safety system and said 24 oxygen cylinders were present at the hospital. He also rejected claims that rescue teams were obstructed during their operation.
He assured the public that action would be taken against anyone found responsible for the tragedy.
Leaders express grief
The deaths prompted an outpouring of grief from political leaders and officials.
National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq expressed deep sorrow over the incident and offered solidarity to the bereaved families.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi described the fire as an extremely heartbreaking tragedy and extended his sympathies to the affected families.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah also expressed condolences, describing the deaths of the newborns as deeply distressing.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz called the deaths of the innocent children extremely painful and directed authorities to ensure the availability and functionality of firefighting equipment in hospitals.
The British High Commission also expressed its condolences, describing the incident as heartbreaking and extending sympathies to the parents who lost their children.
The inquiry is expected to determine the exact cause of the fire, assess the hospital’s emergency preparedness and establish whether negligence or violations of safety protocols contributed to the deaths.
