Fourteen newborn babies were killed in a fire at a nursery in Islamabad’s largest public hospital on Wednesday, Aug. 26, according to city administration and hospital officials.
The blaze broke out at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) around 6:45 a.m. local time on the third floor of the Mother and Child Health ward, officials said. Rescue officials reported that the fire may have started after the compressor of an air-conditioning unit exploded inside the nursery, though the precise cause has not yet been established, according to statements from PIMS and city authorities. [1]
Casualties and Response
The Islamabad administration confirmed 14 deaths, with 15 babies in the nursery at the time of the fire, according to PIMS spokesperson Dr. Aneeza Jalil. One baby was rescued by a doctor, Jalil told reporters, adding that the fire may have been caused by a short circuit. [2]
Firefighters brought the blaze under control and began cooling operations, according to rescue officials. Witnesses told local media that they waited hours for help to arrive. Hivsa Walid, who was near the nursery with her sister-in-law who had given birth days earlier, described hearing a shout and then seeing smoke before fleeing the building. [3]
Official Statements and Investigation
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an immediate investigation and called for strict action against those responsible. In a statement, Sharif said, “A tragedy involving children is an irreparable loss,” adding that those responsible should be identified and face the “strictest possible action.” [1]
A fact-finding committee has been set up to determine the fire’s cause and to examine whether the hospital’s safety systems and emergency response were adequate, according to officials. The committee’s findings are pending. [4]
Background on Safety Concerns
The Capital Development Authority said in January that most of the 6,500 public and private buildings it inspected lacked approved fire-safety plans or relevant certificates, according to reports. The survey covered 300 government buildings, highlighting widespread shortcomings in fire prevention and emergency preparedness across the city. [1]
The blaze follows a June incident in which 14 children were killed when the roof of a tutoring center collapsed outside Lahore, underscoring ongoing infrastructure safety issues in Pakistan. Efforts to improve building safety standards have been inconsistent, according to reports cited by local authorities. [4]
Conclusions
The fire at PIMS underscores ongoing safety deficiencies in Islamabad’s public infrastructure, particularly in buildings that house vulnerable populations such as newborns, according to city officials. Investigations are underway to determine accountability and to prevent future incidents, though no timeline for the committee’s report has been announced. [2]
Hospital officials and the city administration are coordinating on further safety measures, including a review of fire-safety equipment and evacuation protocols. The incident has renewed calls from local leaders for stricter enforcement of building codes and routine safety inspections across government facilities. [3]
References
- “Pakistan hospital fire kills 14 newborns.” August 26, 2026.
- NTD. “14 Newborn Babies Killed, 1 Baby Rescued in Pakistan Hospital Nursery Fire.” August 26, 2026.
- BBC News. “Door was locked at Pakistan hospital where fire killed 14 babies, witnesses say.” August 26, 2026.
- The Epoch Times. “At Least 14 Newborns Killed in Pakistan Hospital Nursery Fire.” August 26, 2026.
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