15 Babies Dead After Massive Fire Breaks Out at Islamabad Government Hospital

Islamabad: A heart-wrenching accident took place in Pakistan's capital Islamabad on Wednesday morning. At least 15 newborn babies died in a fire at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) hospital. There were 16 children in the nursery at the time of the accident, out of which only one could be saved.

The fire started due to explosion in the AC compressor?

According to local media Geo News and rescue sources, the fire broke out at around 7 am in the morning on the third floor of the gynaecology and Maternity and Child Health (MCH) ward of the hospital. It is being told that the compressor of the air conditioner installed inside the nursery burst and within no time the fire spread to the entire ward. The fire was so severe that many newborns got badly burnt. Initial reports said 14 children were burnt to death, but hospital authorities later confirmed the death of 15 children.

Did only one child out of 16 survive?

PIMS officials said that there were a total of 16 newborns in the nursery at the time of the accident. As soon as the information was received, 6 fire brigade vehicles and 4 ambulances reached the spot. After a lot of effort, the rescue team controlled the fire and conducted a cooling operation so that the fire did not flare up again, but by then it was too late. Only one newborn could be evacuated safely.

Investigation committee formed, questions on safety?

After this painful incident, the district administration has ordered an investigation. An investigation committee has been formed under the chairmanship of the additional deputy commissioner, which will find out what was the real cause of the fire and why there were no safety arrangements in the hospital nursery.

This accident has raised big questions on the security arrangements of government hospitals. After all, why was the AC not maintained in a sensitive ward like nursery? Why were there no fire alarms and emergency exits? The truth will come out only after the investigation report comes, but the death of 15 innocent people have shaken the entire Pakistan.