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Islamabad hospital fire kills 14 infants
A fire in a public hospital’s newborn ward killed 14 infants and prompted an official investigation.
What happened
The fire broke out in the mother and child ward at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, a state-run hospital in Islamabad. Officials confirmed 14 newborn deaths and one rescue. Reports placed the fire on the third floor and linked it to the ward’s air-conditioning system. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an investigation.
Numbers
- 14 infantsofficially confirmed deaths — Local reports gave a higher toll
- 15 infantsdeath toll in local reports — Officials confirmed 14 deaths
- 19 peoplerescued from the hospital — Including seven children
Questions
- What caused the fire?
- Officials and local reports linked the fire to a fault in the ward’s air-conditioning system, while investigators will also review fire-safety arrangements.
- Who survived inside the ward?
- Hospital officials said one newborn was rescued by staff; two doctors and two paramedics who were inside the ward were safe.
- How many others were rescued?
- The deputy interior minister said 19 people, including seven children, were rescued from the hospital beyond the newborn ward.
- What will the inquiry examine?
- A committee led by an assistant deputy commissioner will investigate the incident, while authorities were directed to identify responsibility and review safety measures.
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The catch
Coverage differs on the death toll and suspected cause; the investigation has not yet issued findings.
Officials confirmed 14 deaths.