At least 14 babies were killed, according to initial findings, in a fire that broke out in the neonatal unit of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad. A hospital spokesperson said there were 15 babies in the ward at the time of the fire. Another 7 babies, 10 mothers and two men were rescued from other units.
Families who lost their children alleged that help arrived late, that the building did not have enough exits and that some doors were closed. The hospital’s executive director, Rana Imran Sikander, said the doors were not locked. Minister of State Talal Chaudhry said crews arrived 6-7 minutes after receiving the emergency call, while security officials reported that the fire began when an air-conditioning compressor exploded. Prime Minister Şahbaz Şerif ordered an investigation.
Why it matters
The issues to be examined by the investigation ordered by the prime minister include how the fire started, as well as evacuation conditions in the neonatal unit and the adequacy of the emergency response. The families’ allegations that help was delayed, exits were inadequate and some doors remained closed contradict the hospital administration’s statement that the doors were not locked. The information that crews arrived 6-7 minutes after receiving the emergency call makes it necessary to examine separately the timing of the external response and the evacuation process inside the building. While security officials reported the explosion of an air-conditioning compressor as the cause, the possible impact of the building’s conditions, the state of the doors, and the response and evacuation processes on the loss of life remains to be clarified.