At least 15 infants killed in Islamabad hospital fire

At least 15 infants died when a fire erupted at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, a state-run hospital. The blaze reportedly started around 7 a.m. on Wednesday in the mother and child health ward, located on the third floor.

Local broadcaster Geo TV reported that the fire was triggered by a fault in the air conditioning systems. There were 16 newborns in the ward at the time of the incident; one infant was successfully rescued. This tragedy ranks among the deadliest hospital fires in Pakistan in recent years, a country where public healthcare facilities are often criticized for mismanagement, under-resourcing, and being overburdened.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to conduct an immediate investigation into the incident. His office issued a statement emphasizing that "Those responsible should be identified, and the strictest action should be taken." Ambulances were seen outside the hospital, and the affected ward was cordoned off.

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Those responsible should be identified, and the strictest action should be taken.