Fire in Pakistan maternity ward kills at least 14 newborn babies

A tragic fire engulfed the maternity ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad in the early hours of Wednesday, August 26, 2026, resulting in the deaths of at least 14 newborn babies. The blaze broke out in the Mother and Child Health Ward, the capital's largest state hospital, reportedly due to a faulty air conditioning unit that exploded in the nursery. While one infant was successfully rescued, a total of 15 to 16 newborns were present in the ward at the time of the incident.

The devastating event has sparked widespread grief and calls for accountability across Pakistan. Emergency services responded to calls made around 6:45 AM, and while hospital administration stated the fire was quickly brought under control, some witnesses described scenes of panic, thick smoke, and challenges with locked doors in the ward. Health Minister Mustafa Kamal indicated that oxygen canisters within the intensive care unit might have intensified the fire.

In response to the tragedy, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an immediate and thorough investigation into the incident, with President Asif Ali Zardari also expressing profound condolences and urging swift identification and action against those responsible. Authorities have formed a multi-agency committee to investigate the fire's cause, assess fire safety measures, and evaluate the emergency response. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about building safety regulations and enforcement in Pakistan, following similar fatal hospital fires in recent years.