Fire in Islamabad hospital nursery results in deaths of at least 14 newborns

At least 14 newborn babies have died in a fire that occurred in the nursery of a government-run hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan, as reported by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who has ordered an investigation into the incident. The fire broke out on Wednesday on the third floor of the Mother and Child Centre at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) hospital. Local broadcaster Geo TV, citing hospital sources, reported a higher death toll of 15. The blaze began shortly before 7 a.m. local time (02:00 GMT) and has since been extinguished, with only one infant rescued. In a statement on X, Sharif expressed his condolences to the families affected and directed authorities to conduct an immediate investigation, promising that those responsible would face the strictest action. Geo TV reported that the fire was likely caused by a short circuit in a malfunctioning air conditioning unit. Building fires are common in Pakistan, where safety regulations and building codes are often ignored or poorly enforced. In January, a massive fire in a shopping complex in Karachi resulted in at least 65 fatalities. This incident marks one of the deadliest hospital fires in Pakistan's history, highlighting ongoing issues within the underfunded and overcrowded public healthcare system.