Hospital fire in Islamabad kills 14 newborns in nursery ward
What's next: A fact-finding panel must report within 24 hours as officials examine fire safety and the emergency response.
A fire in a newborn nursery at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad killed 14 babies early Wednesday, authorities said, after an air-conditioning unit or compressor caught fire in the mother and child ward. Officials said 15 newborns were in the unit and one was rescued. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an immediate investigation, and the Islamabad district magistrate set up a multiagency committee to submit findings within 24 hours. BBC reported Sharif also suspended Federal Secretary of Health Aslam Ghauri. Witnesses described thick black smoke, broken windows and delays in rescue efforts as families gathered outside the state-run hospital demanding answers.