Hospital fire kills at least 15 newborns in Pakistan

At least 15 newborns were killed when a fire broke out in the nursery of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad on Wednesday (August 26).

PIMS officials said 16 newborns were in the nursery when the fire erupted, with only one child rescued.

Rescue officials said the blaze apparently started after an air-conditioner compressor exploded inside the nursery on the third floor of the hospital's Mother and Child Health (MCH) ward.

District authorities said 14 of the infants were completely burned in the fire.

Six fire engines and four ambulances were deployed to the scene. Firefighters brought the blaze under control and began cooling operations, officials said.

Authorities have formed an inquiry committee headed by the additional deputy commissioner to determine the cause of the fire and establish how the incident unfolded.

Source: Geo News