15 newborns killed in fire after AC compressor explodes at Pakistan hospital

At least 15 newborns were killed after a fire broke out inside a nursery at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) hospital in Islamabad on Wednesday morning. The incident occurred in the gynaecology ward, where 16 infants were being kept at the time.

According to local broadcaster Geo News, one newborn was rescued alive. Reuters also reported that the fire was triggered by a fault in the hospital’s air-conditioning system.

Fire breaks out in nursery

The blaze was reported at around 6:45 am inside the nursery on the third floor of the hospital. Rescue teams reached the site and firefighters reportedly broke the nursery’s window to enter the affected area.

District administration officials told Geo News that 14 newborns were completely charred in the fire at the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) ward. Rescue teams later brought the blaze under control and began cooling operations at the site.

The hospital’s MCH unit has 156 beds, according to information cited in the report.

Inquiry ordered into tragedy

An inquiry committee has been formed to establish what caused the deadly fire. The committee will be headed by the additional deputy commissioner.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed "deep sorrow and heartfelt regret" over the deaths and directed authorities to "conduct an immediate investigation."

"Such a situation with children is irreparable", the statement read.

The incident has drawn attention to the safety of critical areas inside public hospitals, particularly nurseries where newborns require constant care and may have limited means of evacuation.

Reuters reported that the fire was linked to a fault in the hospital’s air-conditioning systems, while local reports attributed it specifically to an air-conditioner compressor explosion.

PIMS hospital in spotlight

PIMS is one of Pakistan’s major public hospitals in Islamabad. It has also previously treated high-profile patients, including former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was taken there for a medical examination following a court-mandated health checkup.

Authorities are now investigating the circumstances surrounding Wednesday’s fire, including the reported air-conditioning failure and the events inside the nursery when the blaze broke out.