Hospital ward fire at Islamabad government hospital kills 14 babies
Initial findings point to an AC explosion, while oxygen cylinders in the ward are believed to have intensified the blaze.
A fire swept through a neonatal ward at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad on Wednesday morning, killing at least 14 newborns. Antara reported that one baby was rescued by doctors, while local authorities and CNBC Indonesia said the total number of babies in the ward was 15 to 16. The blaze broke out around 07.00 local time on the third floor of the Mother and Child Health Center, one of the largest government hospital units in Pakistan's capital. Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said the fire was triggered by an air-conditioning unit explosion and spread further because oxygen was stored in the ward. The government formed an investigation committee to determine the exact cause of the incident, which has renewed scrutiny of infrastructure conditions and management at health facilities in Pakistan.