Pakistan Hospital Fire Kills 14 Newborn Babies

Fire Breaks Out Inside Newborn Nursery

The fire started at around 6:45 a.m. local time inside the nursery on the third floor of the hospital’s gynecology ward. Officials said the blaze was confined to the nursery and did not spread to the rest of the hospital. No other injuries were reported.

Rescue teams and firefighters rushed to the hospital and extinguished the blaze. Television footage showed emergency workers using ladders to reach the nursery through broken windows as rescue operations continued.

14 Babies Confirmed Dead

Pakistan’s Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal confirmed that 14 newborn babies had died in the fire. Hospital spokesperson Dr. Aneeza Jalil said one baby was rescued by a doctor. She also said the bodies of six babies had been handed over to their families, while arrangements were being made to release the remaining bodies.

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The tragedy triggered grief and anger among families gathered outside the hospital. Relatives demanded answers about how the fire started and whether the nursery had adequate firefighting equipment and emergency safety systems.

Parents Demand Answers

Mohammad Sami, whose baby had been receiving intensive care after she gave birth three days earlier, described the loss as devastating. Grieving families gathered at the hospital as police were deployed to manage the situation.

The deaths have raised questions about fire prevention and emergency preparedness in hospital areas caring for vulnerable newborns. Authorities are now examining whether the nursery had sufficient safety equipment and whether emergency procedures were properly followed.

Government Orders 24-Hour Inquiry

Islamabad’s district magistrate appointed a multiagency fact-finding committee within hours of the incident. The committee has been ordered to submit its report within 24 hours.

The investigation will examine the cause of the fire, how quickly it spread, the fire-safety arrangements inside the nursery and the response of emergency teams. Officials said the findings will help establish what happened and whether any failures contributed to the deaths.

Pakistan Leaders Express Grief

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an immediate investigation and described the deaths as an irreparable loss. President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed condolences and called for those responsible to be identified and dealt with according to law.

Officials also urged hospitals to strengthen fire-safety systems and emergency procedures, particularly in wards where newborn babies and other vulnerable patients are receiving care.