Deadly hospital fire kills newborn babies in Pakistan’s maternity ward

Consensus Summary

A fire broke out in the maternity ward of Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad on Wednesday morning around 7am, killing at least 14 newborn babies and leaving one baby saved by a doctor. The blaze, which began in the nursery housing 15 newborns, was linked to an air-conditioning unit and was described as one of the deadliest hospital fires in recent years. Rescue efforts were swift, but the tragedy has prompted calls for investigations and stricter safety measures. The Guardian and ABC both confirm the fire’s timing, death toll, and the number of babies on the ward, while 7NEWS adds context about a three-day-old victim and a separate Karachi fire earlier this year that killed 67 people. The incident has drawn sharp criticism of Pakistan’s healthcare infrastructure, with officials vowing accountability.