Islamabad: A tragic fire at a government hospital in Pakistan's capital Islamabad has resulted in the deaths of several newborn babies. The incident took place on Wednesday morning at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, commonly known as PIMS.

The fire broke out in the nursery of the gynaecology ward, where newborn babies were being treated. Initial reports said that *16 newborns were present* in the nursery when the fire started. Only one infant was reportedly rescued alive. Early reports put the death toll at 15, while later official and local reports gave a figure of 14.

 Fire Reportedly Started in Nursery

According to rescue officials cited in local reports, the fire started after an air-conditioning compressor exploded inside the nursery.

However, an early statement from a hospital spokesperson also referred to the possibility of an electrical fault or short circuit. The exact cause will therefore need to be established through the official investigation.

The fire was reported at around 7 a.m. Emergency teams were immediately sent to the hospital after receiving information about the incident.

 Only One Newborn Rescued

According to reports from hospital officials and rescue authorities, 16 newborns were present in the nursery when the fire broke out.

Rescue personnel attempted to reach the affected ward and evacuate the babies. Initial reports said that only one newborn was successfully rescued.

Several emergency vehicles and ambulances were deployed during the rescue operation.

 Fire Brought Under Control

Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control. After the flames were extinguished, emergency teams continued cooling operations at the affected site to ensure that there was no immediate risk of the fire restarting.

The affected area was examined by emergency and hospital teams as authorities began assessing the circumstances surrounding the incident.

 Conflicting Reports on Death Toll

There have been varying reports regarding the exact number of newborn deaths.

Several early reports from local sources said that *15 newborns had died, with one baby rescued from the nursery. However, the Islamabad administration and some later reports cited a death toll of 14 newborns*.

Because the incident was still developing during the initial rescue operation, casualty figures changed across reports. The final official number is expected to become clearer after authorities complete their assessment and investigation.

 Prime Minister Orders Investigation

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to conduct an immediate investigation into the incident. He expressed grief over the deaths and called for the circumstances behind the tragedy to be examined.

The investigation is expected to examine how the fire started, the condition of the hospital's electrical and air-conditioning systems, the safety arrangements in the nursery and the response during the emergency.

 Questions Over Hospital Fire Safety

The incident has also raised questions about fire safety and emergency preparedness in hospitals, particularly in areas where newborns and other vulnerable patients are treated.

Newborn wards require specialised care and emergency evacuation arrangements. Authorities are expected to examine whether the required safety systems were operational and whether emergency procedures were properly followed.

At this stage, however, no final conclusion should be drawn about negligence until the official investigation establishes the cause and circumstances of the fire.

Rescue and Investigation Continue

After the fire was brought under control, emergency teams continued operations at the affected area. Authorities are collecting information and examining the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The tragedy has renewed concerns about safety arrangements in healthcare facilities. The investigation will be important in determining the exact cause of the fire, the effectiveness of the emergency response and whether any responsibility needs to be fixed.