A devastating fire broke out in the neonatal unit of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, resulting in a significant loss of life.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports, citing international media sources, that the incident has claimed the lives of 15 infants.
According to preliminary reports, the fire was triggered by an explosion in the compressor of an air conditioning unit within the ward at approximately 06:45 local time. Emergency responders confirmed that only one infant was rescued from the unit during the blaze, while 15 others tragically perished.
Rescue teams have successfully extinguished the fire, and cooling operations are currently underway at the site. Authorities have established a special investigative committee to determine the precise circumstances surrounding the incident.
The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences is one of the country's largest public hospitals, serving as a primary healthcare facility for the capital region. Such incidents in medical facilities often prompt urgent reviews of infrastructure safety standards and maintenance protocols in public health institutions across the region.
