Islamabad, Aug 26: At least 15 infants were reportedly killed after a devastating fire broke out in the gynaecology ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad, on Wednesday morning.
The fire erupted at around 7 am at PIMS, one of Pakistan’s largest public hospitals. Emergency teams rushed to the hospital as thick smoke engulfed the affected ward, prompting a major rescue and firefighting operation.
According to reports, 15 babies were present in the ward when the fire broke out. However, hospital authorities have not officially confirmed the number of casualties.
PIMS spokesperson Dr Aneeza Jalil told Dawn that some infants may have been discharged during the night and that the exact number of casualties could not yet be confirmed.
The fire was reportedly caused by a short circuit, according to the hospital spokesperson. Firefighters managed to extinguish the flames, while cooling operations continued at the affected area.
The incident has triggered concern across Islamabad and Pakistan, with authorities expected to investigate the cause of the fire and assess the hospital’s fire-safety arrangements.
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