At least 15 newborns have died after a fire broke out in the newborn nursery of the gynecology ward at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) hospital in Islamabad. Sixteen newborns were in the nursery at the time of the fire; only one could be rescued alive. Hospital authorities disclosed the information Wednesday.
According to rescue service sources, the fire broke out inside the hospital nursery around 6:45 a.m. local time. Initial information indicates the fire spread after an air conditioner compressor exploded.
The district administration said rescue teams reached the scene immediately after being notified. Six fire service vehicles and four ambulances took part in the rescue operation.
PIMS officials said that of the 16 newborns in the nursery at the time of the fire, one was rescued alive. The remaining 15 died.
According to the district administration, 14 infants were completely burned in the fire, which broke out on the third floor of the hospital’s MCH ward.
Rescue workers said the fire has been brought under control. With the fire now fully extinguished, work is under way to cool down the site.
The district administration has formed an investigation committee to determine the actual cause of the fire. The committee, led by an additional deputy commissioner, will examine the cause of the fire and how the devastating incident occurred.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report