ISLAMABAD: At least 15 infants were died in a tragic fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) early Wednesday morning, ARY News reported, citing sources.
According to rescue officials, initial reports indicate that a short circuit caused the fire at the capital’s major hospital.
Hospital sources stated that a female doctor managed to save one infant’s life from the nursery.
Firefighters have since extinguished the blaze in the hospital nursery, and a cooling process is currently underway.
Sources added that the fire erupted after an air conditioner compressor exploded around 6:45 am.
PIMS Chief Professor Imran Sikandar
Speaking to ARY News, PIMS Chief Professor Imran Sikandar confirmed the deaths of 14 infants, adding that one infant and several adults were rescued during the tragic incident.
“An investigation into the incident is underway, though the exact cause of the fire has not yet been determined,” he said.
He emphasized that every aspect of the incident will be probed.
Inquiry Committee
An inquiry committee, headed by the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad, has been formed to determine the cause of the fire in the PIMS nursery.
The district administration stated that the fire broke out on the third floor of the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) ward of PIMS.
Meanwhile, as many as six fire tenders and four ambulances participated in the fire-extinguishing operation.
President and PM express grief over tragic PIMS fire
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have expressed deep grief and sorrow over the tragic fire incident at PIMS Hospital in Islamabad.
In their separate statements, they said tragic deaths of the newborn babies are extremely heartbreaking and an irreparable loss.
President Asif Ali Zardari directed that those responsible for the incident be identified and action be taken against them in accordance with the law.
According to a statement released by the Prime Minister office, Shehbaz Sharif directed the authorities to conduct an immediate investigation.
He said circumstances leading to the incident must be thoroughly examined, those responsible must be identified and the strictest possible action must be taken.
