In brief
A horrific fire broke out early Wednesday morning in the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences’ maternity ward, claiming the lives of 14 infants before fire crews could reach them. Witnesses report the ward’s door was locked and that emergency exits were blocked, delaying rescue efforts. Families and doctors argue the hospital’s safety protocols were insufficient, while authorities say doors were manned to prevent theft. The incident prompted the Prime Minister to suspend the Health Secretary and call for an investigation. Pakistan’s ongoing struggles with building safety highlight the need for stricter enforcement.
Door was locked at Pakistan hospital where fire killed 14 babies, witnesses say
It was just after dawn on Wednesday morning when a brutal blaze erupted in the maternity ward of Islamabad’s Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS). The fire raged for hours, leaving 14 newborns dead and causing chaos among staff and families.
Hivsa Walid, who was staying near the ward, described how she and her sister‑in‑law fled with a tiny baby that summer, ignoring all possessions in a frantic rush to safety.
The blaze is believed to have started in an air‑conditioning unit on the third floor, amid allegations that safety protocols were missing. Witnesses say only one baby survived and that the ward’s main door was locked, trapping most patients inside.
Residents say rescue crews took almost two hours to reach the ward, while several families struggled to break open doors and smash windows to escape the smoke.
The incident has triggered calls for stricter building safety laws and highlighted Pakistan’s history of deadly fires, including a January mall blaze that killed dozens due to locked exits.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the tragedy, suspended the Federal Health Secretary and ordered an immediate investigation. He described the situation as “irreparable.”
Photo caption: Witnesses say proper evacuation protocols were not in place at the hospital.
