Fire at hospital in Pakistan kills 15 newborns

A fire broke out on the morning of Wednesday (26) at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) hospital in the capital, Islamabad, resulting in the deaths of at least 15 newborns. According to the broadcaster Geo TV, the fire was caused by a failure in the air conditioning system, specifically the explosion of a compressor.

At the time the fire started, there were 16 newborns present, of whom only one was rescued. No information has been released regarding the conditions of the other infants at the time of the rescue, but various sources indicate that some were in critical condition.

The fire was quickly controlled following the intervention of emergency teams, which included six fire trucks and four ambulances. Despite the rapid response, most of the infants did not survive the fire.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif promised a thorough investigation into the causes of the fire to identify those responsible and prevent similar tragedies in the future. He also emphasized the need for improvements in hospital safety.

The news of the tragedy received widespread coverage in local and international media, with several agencies reporting on the incident and the authorities' response. Comments regarding the health condition of the other newborns have not yet been confirmed, and the number of victims could increase as more information is released.

Local authorities highlighted that the fire originated in the gynecology wing of the hospital, an area designated for births and neonatal care. The incident raises concerns about safety systems in hospitals across the country and the protection of vulnerable patients.