At least 14 newborn babies die in Islamabad hospital fire
Raphael Afesomu26th August, 2026 | News
At Least 14 Newborn Babies Die in Islamabad Hospital Fire
At least 14 newborn babies have died after a fire broke out at a nursery in the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad on Wednesday morning.
The fire reportedly started at around 7am on the hospital’s third floor. Local reports said the blaze may have been triggered by an exploding air-conditioning unit compressor inside the nursery, although the exact cause has not yet been officially confirmed.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered a full investigation into the tragedy, saying the loss of children was an “irreparable loss” and calling for those responsible to face strict action if found culpable.
President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed condolences to the victims’ families and called for stronger fire-safety and emergency measures, particularly in areas caring for newborns.
Firefighters successfully brought the blaze under control, while rescue teams continued cooling operations at the hospital.
The tragedy has renewed concerns over fire safety and the condition of government hospitals in Pakistan, many of which face shortages of resources and overcrowding.
Authorities are expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fire and determine whether safety measures at the facility were adequate.
