Kathmandu— A devastating fire erupted at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad on Wednesday morning, claiming the lives of 14 newborn babies who were receiving critical care in the hospital’s nursery. The blaze, reportedly caused by a short circuit in an air-conditioning unit, quickly engulfed the ward, trapping vulnerable infants and triggering scenes of panic among parents and staff. Families described waking to alarms and rushing into smoke-filled corridors, desperately searching for their children as rescuers struggled to access the affected area. The incident has ignited widespread anger over hospital safety standards and prompted government investigations.

Nighttime Vigil Turns to Tragedy

Arif Rana, 46, had been sleeping on the lawn outside PIMS’ maternity unit when he received a frantic phone call around 6:30 am. His sister had given birth to a baby girl the previous day and was recovering in the hospital. “The call came from her husband’s sister… yelling and asking me to come up as a fire had erupted inside the ward,” Rana told Al Jazeera. He and his son rushed into the building, encountering thick smoke and intense heat as they made their way to the third floor. Rana managed to help his sister-in-law escape, while his sister and newborn were rescued by another relative – a stroke of luck not shared by all.

Conflicting Reports on Response Time

The Islamabad district administration stated that the first emergency call was received at 6:45 am, with fire crews arriving within seven minutes. However, an official from Rescue 1122, Pakistan’s government-run ambulance service, indicated a slightly delayed response time, receiving word around 6:55 am and reaching the hospital less than ten minutes later. A video recorded by the fireman upon arrival at 7:06am showed firefighters breaking through concrete grills to access windows blocked by smoke. The fireman, speaking anonymously, explained that they had to force entry due to limited accessibility.

Blocked Exits and Security Concerns

Witnesses described a chaotic scene with limited escape routes. Several relatives reported that emergency exits were locked from the inside, purportedly as part of a longstanding hospital policy aimed at preventing infant theft. Abdul Ghaffoor said he heard staff kept the doors locked to prevent both theft and unauthorized male access. PIMS officials confirmed this practice, stating it was intended to protect vulnerable newborns. Kamran Riaz’s three-day-old daughter was among those who perished in the fire; his brother was at the morgue identifying her remains. He reported a lack of staff presence when the fire broke out and only one accessible entrance/exit.

Government Response and Investigations

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an investigation into the incident and suspended Federal Health Secretary Aslam Ghaury. Two separate inquiry committees – one formed by the Islamabad district administration and another by the prime minister’s office – have been established to determine the cause of the fire and identify any systemic failures. Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry stated that two doctors and four nurses were on duty in the intensive care unit when the fire began, a claim echoed by PIMS executive director Rana Imran Sikandar.

A Recurring Tragedy

This is not the first time hospital air conditioning malfunctions have led to newborn deaths in Pakistan. In June 2024, a similar fire at Sahiwal Teaching Hospital in Punjab province killed eleven babies. Following that incident, Punjab’s Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz ordered the arrest of the hospital’s medical superintendent and three senior doctors after it was discovered that the hospital's fire extinguishers had expired.

The inquiry committees are expected to submit their findings within days, with a focus on identifying lapses in safety protocols and holding those responsible accountable. The tragedy has reignited calls for improved healthcare infrastructure and stricter enforcement of safety regulations across Pakistan.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.