15 newborns killed in PIMS Islamabad hospital fire, one infant rescued
Synopsis
Fifteen newborn babies perished in a single ward fire at Pakistan's largest public hospital — PIMS Islamabad — after an air-conditioner compressor reportedly exploded at dawn. Only one of 16 infants in the nursery survived. The disaster has triggered a government inquiry and renewed urgent questions about fire safety in public hospital neonatal units across Pakistan.
Key Takeaways
15 newborn babies died in a fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) , Islamabad , on 26 August .
The fire broke out at approximately 6:45 am in the nursery on the third floor of the Mother and Child Health ward .
An air-conditioner compressor explosion reportedly triggered the blaze, according to rescue sources citing Geo TV .
Of 16 infants present, only one was rescued alive; 14 babies were completely burnt , according to the district administration.
Six fire brigade vehicles and four ambulances were deployed in the emergency response.
An enquiry committee headed by the additional deputy commissioner has been constituted to investigate the incident.
At least 15 newborn babies died after a devastating fire tore through the nursery of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad in the early hours of Wednesday, 26 August, according to local media reports citing officials. Of the 16 infants present in the ward at the time, only one could be rescued alive.
How the Fire Started
Rescue sources, citing Pakistani media outlet Geo TV, said the blaze erupted at approximately 6:45 am inside the nursery on the third floor of the Mother and Child Health (MCH) ward, reportedly after an air-conditioner compressor exploded. The fire spread rapidly through the ward, which housed some of the hospital's most vulnerable patients.
According to the district administration, 14 of the babies were completely burnt in the blaze. Firefighting teams reached the site and brought the fire under control, after which cooling operations continued to prevent any possibility of reignition.
Emergency Response
Six fire brigade vehicles and four ambulances were deployed as part of the emergency response, the district administration confirmed. Rescue personnel reportedly responded immediately upon receiving information about the incident. Despite the swift mobilisation, the scale of the tragedy could not be averted given the infants' extreme vulnerability.
Safety Questions and Inquiry
The incident has drawn sharp attention to safety standards at PIMS, particularly in wards housing newborns who cannot self-evacuate. The district administration has constituted an enquiry committee, headed by the additional deputy commissioner, to investigate the circumstances that led to the fire and the deaths.
Officials said the committee will examine both the cause of the fire and the adequacy of the emergency response. Findings of the inquiry are awaited. This tragedy raises broader questions about fire safety infrastructure in public hospitals across Pakistan, where such incidents have occurred before.
What Happens Next
The inquiry committee's report is expected to determine accountability and recommend corrective measures. Authorities have not yet indicated a timeline for the findings. Families of the deceased infants, and civil society groups, are likely to press for urgent safety audits of hospital nurseries and neonatal units nationwide.
Point of View
With independent audits and criminal accountability where negligence is established.
NationPress
26 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at PIMS hospital in Islamabad?
A fire broke out in the nursery of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad at around 6:45 am on 26 August, killing at least 15 newborn babies. Only one of the 16 infants present in the ward at the time was rescued alive.
What caused the fire at PIMS Islamabad?
Rescue sources, citing Geo TV, reported that an air-conditioner compressor reportedly exploded inside the nursery, triggering the blaze. The inquiry committee is expected to confirm the exact cause.
How many babies were in the nursery when the fire broke out?
There were 16 newborn babies in the nursery at the time of the fire. Of these, 15 died and only one was rescued from the affected area in time, according to PIMS officials.
What action has been taken after the PIMS hospital fire?
The district administration has constituted an enquiry committee headed by the additional deputy commissioner to investigate the cause of the fire and the emergency response. Six fire brigade vehicles and four ambulances were deployed during the incident.
Why does the PIMS hospital fire raise safety concerns?
The fire occurred in a ward housing some of the most vulnerable patients — newborns who cannot self-evacuate. The scale of fatalities has raised serious questions about fire safety infrastructure, suppression systems, and evacuation protocols in public hospital neonatal units in Pakistan.
