• At least 15 newborns died in a fire at Islamabad's Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences.
• Only one newborn was rescued from the nursery during the incident.
• The fire was reportedly caused by an exploding air conditioning unit.
• Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for an immediate investigation into the incident.
• This tragedy has highlighted persistent issues with safety regulations in Pakistani healthcare facilities.

A devastating fire broke out at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, resulting in the deaths of at least 15 newborns. The blaze erupted early Wednesday morning in the nursery, where 16 newborns were present, with only one baby being rescued by emergency responders. Reports indicate that the initial cause of the fire was an explosion related to an air conditioning unit, leading to a significant loss of life among the infants housed in the ward, according to Indiatimes and Al Jazeera.

The fire reportedly started around 7 a.m. and quickly spread, exacerbated by the presence of oxygen equipment utilized in the nursery. Hospital officials stated that the institution lacks adequate fire-safety measures, raising serious concerns about the safety protocols in place for vulnerable patients. This tragedy has prompted widespread calls for accountability, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordering an immediate investigation to ascertain responsibility, as confirmed by Reuters and CBS News.

The fire is considered one of the deadliest incidents of its kind in recent years within Pakistani healthcare facilities, which have faced criticism due to inadequate resources and safety regulations. As investigation efforts continue, Islamabad's Chief Commissioner Sohail Ashraf announced that a multi-agency fact-finding committee is being formed to evaluate the conditions that led to the fire and assess the emergency response procedures, as reported by South China Morning Post and Los Angeles Times.

Health Minister Mustafa Kamal and other officials have visited the site to oversee the reaction protocols extending support to affected families. Many grieving parents have publicly expressed their sorrow and outrage, demanding that stronger safety regulations should be implemented immediately in hospitals across the country, according to Channel News Asia and BBC.