Fire at Islamabad hospital nursery claims lives of 15 newborns

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Fire at Islamabad hospital nursery claims lives of 15 newborns

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News sources:

INDIATIMES

ALJAZEERA

REUTERS

CBSNEWS

SCMP

Fire at Islamabad hospital nursery claims lives of 15 newborns

Credited from: SCMP

15 newborns died in a fire at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences.
Only one baby was rescued from the incident.
The fire was reportedly caused by an air-conditioner compressor explosion.
Prime Minister has ordered an immediate investigation.
This incident raises serious concerns about hospital safety standards.

A tragic fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad resulted in the deaths of at least 15 newborns, with only one child rescued. The fire broke out around 7 am in the hospital's nursery, which housed 16 newborns at the time of the incident, triggering widespread concern among officials and the public regarding safety measures in hospitals, according to Indiatimes, Al Jazeera, Reuters, CBS News, and South China Morning Post.

Reports indicate the fire was initiated by an air conditioning unit malfunction, specifically an explosion from the compressor. Emergency responders were deployed promptly and managed to extinguish the fire and initiate cooling operations in the affected area, as noted by multiple sources including Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post.

This incident has been described as one of the deadliest hospital fires in recent years in Pakistan, where healthcare facilities often face serious challenges due to underfunding and management issues. Following the tragedy, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities to conduct a thorough investigation to hold those responsible accountable, according to Reuters and CBS News.