Fire kills 14 newborns at major hospital in Pakistan, officials say

A fire at a hospital's maternity ward in a major government hospital in Pakistan’s capital killed at least 14 newborn babies early on Wednesday, according to hospital officials and the government.

The fire broke out on the third floor of the Mother and Child Health Ward at the public Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) hospital, according to the district administration.

Rescue officials said the fire broke out at around 6:45 am (3:45 am CEST) after an air-conditioning unit compressor apparently exploded inside the nursery, located in the hospital’s gynecology ward.

Sohail Ashraf, the Islamabad chief commissioner, said on X that rescue teams, specialists, police and himself "immediately reached at site and controlled the fire."

At least one baby was reportedly rescued.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sorrow over the deaths and ordered an immediate investigation.

“The loss of children in such circumstances is irreparable,” a statement from his office said.

Sharif also expressed his “heartfelt condolences to the families of the innocent children,” adding that he was “saddened by this tragic incident.”.

Police said the newborns killed in the fire were severely burned, making DNA testing necessary to confirm their identities before their bodies can be released to their families.

The statement came after parents called for the bodies to be handed over immediately.

Fires in large buildings are frequent in Pakistan, often due to poor safety laws and building codes as well as lax enforcement.