Summary The fire broke out on the third floor of the Maternal and Child Health Ward early in the morning
ISLAMABAD – At least 14 newborn died after a fire breakout at a section of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) on Wednesday.
The fire broke out on the third floor of the Maternal and Child Health Ward early in the morning, reportedly due to a suspected short circuit.
The district administration has confirmed the causalities in the fire incident.
In a post on X, Islamabad Chief Commissioner Sohail Ashraf Goraya confirmed the fire incident saying the officials received the emergency call at 6:54 am.
“Rescue teams, AC Industrial area, police and myself immediately reached at site and controlled the fire. We shall keep you updated regarding casualty or any other news,” he wrote.
Emergency
— Sohail (@SohailAshrafGor) August 26, 2026
Fire Call
PIMS Hospital (MCH)
Call Time 0654
Rescue teams, AC Industrial area, police and myself immediately reached at site and controlled the fire. We shall keep you updated regarding casualty or any other news @CDAthecapital.
Later, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Ali Nasir Rizvi also reached the spot to review the rescue and relief efforts.
Professor Imran Sikandar, an official of the hospital, said it is yet to determine how the fire started in the ward.
An investigation committee has been formed and it will be headed by an additional deputy commissioner general. The committee will determine the cause of the fire.
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal has confirmed that 14 children have died in the fire at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad.
Speaking about the incident, Kamal said the Director General Health and hospital secretary were present at the facility, while relevant authorities were in contact with the affected families. He added that he was travelling from Karachi to Islamabad following the incident.
The health minister said an investigation would be conducted if negligence was found to have contributed to the deaths. He pledged that those responsible would face strict action, adding that he would also be held accountable if the inquiry found any fault on his part.
Responding to a question from Geo News, Kamal said hospital staff had gone to call rescue services after the fire broke out, but the blaze spread rapidly.
He said the fire-fighting equipment at the hospital was operational at the time of the incident.
What the District Administration Says
According to the district administration, the fire broke out on the third floor of the MCH Ward at PIMS Hospital, prompting an immediate emergency response.
Rescue teams rushed to the hospital after being alerted to the incident. Six fire brigade vehicles and four ambulances participated in the rescue and relief operation.
Authorities said the blaze was brought under control and the children were subsequently shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Condolences Pour in
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed deep sorrow over death of 14 infants in fire incident at PIMS. He has ordered an immediate investigation into the matter, saying strict action will be taken against those responsible for the incident.
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) August 26, 2026
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed profound grief and sorrow over the tragic fire incident at PIMS Hospital, Islamabad.
The president extends heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families over the loss of newborn babies in the fire.
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) August 26, 2026
The tragic deaths of newborn babies are an extremely heartbreaking and irreparable loss, he said.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also expressed deep grief and sorrow over the tragic incident in which 14 newborn babies lost their lives in a fire at PIMS Hospital.
— Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) August 26, 2026
This is a developing story…
