ISLAMABAD: A tragedy hit the PIMS hospital early morning today, killing several infants. The infants died in the gynaecology ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad. The tragedy occurred early morning on Wednesday.South Asians & Diaspora
The fire broke out at 6:45 am on the third floor of the Mother and Child Hospital of the PIMS, according to officials.
Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said an air conditioner blast triggered the fire inside the ward.
He said the infants were either in incubators or receiving oxygen when the incident occurred.
The presence of oxygen tanks intensified the blaze, while rescue teams quickly reached the affected area.
Television footage showed rescue workers using ladders to enter the ward through broken windows.
Meanwhile, an AFP reporter saw a distressed woman outside the hospital as a man cleared shattered glass.
The Islamabad administration said six fire brigade vehicles and four ambulances joined the rescue operation.
Officials said firefighters brought the blaze under control before shifting the children to intensive care.
Pims spokesperson Dr Aneeza Jalil said 15 babies were present in the ward when the fire started.
She added that a doctor managed to save one baby during the emergency.
According to officials, authorities handed six bodies to their parents and prepared the remaining bodies for release.
Families Raise Safety Concerns
Malik Israr, whose niece received treatment at the hospital, questioned the decision to house the nursery in a building under renovation.
He said women who had recently given birth rushed downstairs after staff ordered patients to evacuate.
PIMS, established in 1985, remains Islamabad’s largest public-sector hospital and includes several healthcare and teaching institutions.
A committee has been formed which will submit its report within 24 hours.
