At least 14 newborn babies die in fire at Pakistan hospital’s maternity ward
Authorities at biggest state hospital in Islamabad say 15 babies were in the ward when fire broke out
TL;DR
- 14 newborn babies died in a fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences maternity ward in Islamabad.
- The fire started in the early hours of Wednesday, engulfing the intensive care unit.
- A faulty air conditioning unit is suspected as the cause of the fire.
- Mothers and babies attempted to escape the blaze, with some using ladders and others climbing out of windows.
- Oxygen canisters in the ward reportedly exacerbated the fire.
- Witnesses described scenes of panic, thick smoke, and a lack of staff presence.
- The prime minister has ordered an immediate investigation into the incident.
- Fires in Pakistan are often linked to poor safety laws and lax enforcement of building codes.