15 Newborns Dead After Fire at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Islamabad

15 Newborns Dead After Fire at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Islamabad

Islamabad, August 26, 2026 (VoM News): At least 15 newborns lost their lives after a fire ignited in the nursery of the capital’s government hospital in the morning.

A blaze broke out in the gynaecology ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), which housed 16 babies, around 6:45am on Wednesday. Rescue officials have stated that one newborn was saved out of the sixteen, Geo News reported.

The ward was situated on the third floor and fire authorities stated the possibility that the air-conditioner compressor had exploded inside the nursery.

Footage of the rescue operation depicted firefighters smashing open a window into the nursery, and rushing inside, to save who they could. District administration officials have said that 14 babies were burnt to ashes in the tragedy.

Rescue teams arrived promptly to put off the fire, and they immediately began the process of cooling the areas in close proximity to the nursery.

The origin of the fire, and all circumstances surrounding the tragic accident have not yet been determined.

The authorities are in the process of forming a committee to look into how the inferno began and whether there were any preventative safety precautions in use at the hospital at the time, headed by additional deputy commissioner, to ascertain fault and to determine responsibility.

Speaking out on the devastating news, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif expressed his utmost sorrow upon the loss of children in what he called “irreparable” circumstances, and commanded a swift inquiry to be conducted regarding the event.

PIMS is an extensive hospital in the city which contains a bed strength of156 for its Maternal & Child Health unit, and has been treating even major, public-figures, such as Imran Khan, former prime minister of Pakistan.