Tragedy Strikes as Fire Claims Lives of 14 Infants in Islamabad Hospital

A devastating fire erupted early Wednesday morning at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, resulting in the tragic deaths of 14 newborns. Witnesses recounted the chaotic scene as parents desperately sought help amidst the smoke and flames.

Hivsa Walid, who was present at the maternity ward, described her harrowing experience, stating she initially mistook shouts for a patient’s demise until she was engulfed in smoke. She and her sister-in-law managed to flee with a newborn, emphasizing that saving the baby was their only priority.

The fire originated from an air-conditioning unit on the third floor of the hospital's mother and child unit, with only one of the 15 infants in the ward managed to be rescued. Eyewitness Khurram Mehmood lamented the loss of his three-day-old daughter, expressing frustration over the delayed response from rescue teams. “I lost my daughter. She was only three days old,” he told AFP.

Concerns about safety protocols were raised as parents noted the locked door to the maternity ward, which hindered access for rescue workers. Jaweria, a grieving mother, voiced her outrage, stating that despite her cries for help, assistance took too long to arrive. Witnesses reported that emergency teams struggled to reach the ward because of thick smoke, and some had to break down doors to rescue trapped patients.

In response to the disaster, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his sorrow and ordered an investigation, leading to the suspension of the Federal Health Secretary. The tragedy has reignited discussions about fire safety standards in Pakistan, particularly in public hospitals.

Source: www.bbc.co.uk