Islamabad: At least 14 newborn babies were killed in a devastating fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad early Wednesday, August 26, 2026, prompting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to order an immediate investigation into one of Pakistan’s deadliest recent hospital fires.
The blaze broke out in a nursery inside the Mother and Child Hospital at the government-run PIMS complex, sending emergency teams rushing to the facility as smoke and flames spread through the ward.
Fire Breaks Out in Nursery Early Wednesday
Officials said the fire erupted shortly before 7 AM in the nursery located in the hospital’s gynaecology and mother-and-child section.
Islamabad authorities said the affected ward was on the third floor of the Mother and Child Hospital.
Six fire brigade vehicles and four ambulances were deployed as emergency teams worked to bring the flames under control and evacuate the affected area.
Television footage showed rescue workers using ladders and accessing the building through broken windows after the fire.
At Least 14 Babies Killed
The tragedy resulted in the deaths of at least 14 newborns, according to Reuters, Associated Press and initial statements from local authorities.
AP reported that at least 15 babies were in the nursery when the fire began and that only one was rescued.
PIMS spokesperson Dr Aneeza Jalil separately told Dawn that 15 babies were present in the ward and that one child was saved by a doctor.
Some later Pakistani media reports put the death toll at 15, meaning the final casualty figure could still be revised as authorities complete verification.
What Caused the PIMS Hospital Fire?
The precise cause of the blaze has not yet been officially established.
Initial reports offered slightly different preliminary explanations.
PIMS spokesperson Dr Aneeza Jalil told Dawn that the fire appeared to have been caused by a short circuit.
Associated Press, citing officials, reported that an air-conditioning compressor exploded, triggering the fire in the nursery.
Reuters similarly reported that local media and preliminary information pointed towards a fault involving the air-conditioning system.
Authorities have therefore ordered a formal investigation rather than treating any preliminary explanation as the confirmed cause.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Orders Immediate Investigation
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the deaths and ordered authorities to immediately investigate the circumstances leading to the disaster.
According to an official statement carried by Radio Pakistan, the prime minister said those responsible must be identified and strict action taken where negligence or wrongdoing is established.
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed sorrow over the deaths and directed authorities to identify those responsible and take action in accordance with the law.
Inquiry Committee Formed
Authorities have formed an inquiry committee to determine how the fire started and examine whether appropriate fire-safety and emergency-response procedures were in place.
Associated Press reported that a multi-agency fact-finding committee had been directed to submit its findings within 24 hours.
The Islamabad administration separately said an inquiry committee headed by the Additional Deputy Commissioner General had been constituted to investigate the incident.
Investigators are expected to examine electrical equipment, fire alarms, evacuation routes, emergency exits and the response by hospital staff.
Families Demand Answers
The deaths have triggered anger and grief among families of the infants.
Reuters reported that parents and relatives gathered at the hospital demanding accountability and raising questions over fire-safety measures at the facility.
The tragedy is especially devastating because the victims were newborns receiving care inside a hospital nursery, an area where patients are completely dependent on medical staff and functioning emergency systems for their safety.
Reports also indicated that renovation or repair work had been underway in parts of the building, although authorities have not established whether that work played any role in the fire.
PIMS Is Islamabad’s Major Government Hospital
The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences is one of Islamabad’s largest and most important public-sector medical facilities.
Established in 1985, the complex includes multiple hospitals and teaching institutions and provides treatment to patients from Islamabad as well as surrounding regions.
The scale of Wednesday’s tragedy is therefore likely to bring renewed scrutiny of fire-safety infrastructure and emergency preparedness across government hospitals.
Hospital Fire Raises Safety Questions
Large hospitals contain significant electrical infrastructure, oxygen systems, medical equipment and patients who may be unable to evacuate without assistance.
Nurseries and intensive-care units present an even greater challenge because infants and critically ill patients depend entirely on staff during an emergency.
Wednesday’s disaster is expected to intensify calls for inspections of fire alarms, electrical systems, emergency exits and evacuation procedures at hospitals across Pakistan.
The official inquiry will be crucial in determining whether the Islamabad fire was an unavoidable technical accident or whether failures in maintenance and safety procedures contributed to the loss of life.
Investigation Continues
As of Wednesday, the confirmed toll reported by major international news agencies remained at least 14 newborns, although some Pakistani media outlets later reported 15 deaths.
Authorities have sealed the affected area while investigators examine the scene.
The cause of the fire, the final number of victims and whether negligence contributed to the disaster are expected to become clearer once the inquiry committee submits its findings.
For now, the deaths of so many newborn children have left families grieving and triggered demands for accountability over safety conditions at one of Pakistan’s most important government hospitals.
Source – Reuters / Associated Press / PIMS Authorities
Supreme News Network
