ISLAMABAD: A heartbreaking tragedy struck early Wednesday morning, Aug. 26, when at least 15 newborns died after a devastating fire swept through the nursery of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad. Sixteen babies were reportedly being treated in the nursery at the time of the incident.
The devastating incident not only took away the lives of innocent children but also turned this morning into an unbearable day of grief and mourning for their parents and families.
On the blessed occasion of 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal, when Muslims across Pakistan are observing Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH), these innocent babies tragically lost their lives, leaving their families facing unimaginable pain and sorrow.
Officials said an air-conditioner compressor may have triggered the blaze, leaving only one infant rescued from the third-floor ward.
The fire broke out at about 6:45 a.m. in the gynaecology ward’s nursery, according to rescue officials. The sudden blaze quickly spread through the area, prompting emergency teams to rush to the hospital and begin rescue operations.
PIMS officials said 16 newborns were inside the nursery when the fire started. Only one baby was rescued by a lady doctor, while the others died in the incident, according to officials.
Rescue officials later said the fire had been extinguished and cooling operations were underway at the site to prevent the blaze from reigniting.
اسپیکر قومی اسمبلی سردار ایاز صادق کا پمز ہسپتال کے ایم سی ایچ بلاک کی نرسری میں پیش آنے والے آتشزدگی کے واقعے میں 14 نومولود بچوں کے جانی نقصان پر گہرے دکھ اور افسوس کا اظہار
اسپیکر سردار ایاز صادق کا معصوم بچوں کے لواحقین سے دلی ہمدردی اور تعزیت کا اظہار
آتشزدگی کے اندوہ ناک…
— National Assembly 🇵🇰 (@NAofPakistan) August 26, 2026
The Islamabad district administration has formed an inquiry committee to investigate the deadly incident. The committee, headed by the additional deputy commissioner, will examine how the fire started, what caused the compressor failure and how the blaze spread through the nursery.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took notice of the incident and ordered the relevant authorities to investigate the causes of the incident. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, he expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and offered his condolences to the families who lost their newborns.
“The loss of children in such a situation is unbearable,” the statement quoted him as saying. He directed authorities to determine the cause of the incident and identify those responsible.
اسلام آباد : 26 اگست 2026.
وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف نے پمز ہسپتال کی نرسری میں آتشزدگی کے اندوناک واقعہ میں 14 نومولود جاں بحق ہونے پر گہرے دکھ اور دِلی افسوس کا اظہار کیا. وزیراعظم نے معصوم بچوں کے لواحقین سے دلی اظہار تعزیت کیا۔ وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف نے آتشزدگی کے افسوسناک…
— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) August 26, 2026
President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed his condolences and sympathy to the families of the newborn babies. He described the loss of life as “heartbreaking and an irreparable loss.”
Zardari called for those responsible to be identified and for legal action to be taken. He also stressed the need for hospitals to have proper fire safety systems and emergency procedures to protect patients, particularly newborn babies.
Senate Chairman Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and offered his condolences to the affected families. Gilani said hospitals must have effective safety measures, fire protection systems and proper emergency arrangements in place to help prevent similar incidents in the future.
