ISLAMABAD: 15 newborns died after a fire broke out in the nursery of the Gynecology Ward of PIMS Hospital in Islamabad.
Rescue sources say that the fire broke out in the nursery of PIMS Hospital at 6:45 am due to an explosion of an air conditioning compressor, which was extinguished, and the cooling process is underway.
Hospital officials say that 16 children were present in the nursery at the time of the fire, the lady doctor could save only one child, while 15 died.
The district administration says that the fire broke out on the third floor of the MCH ward of PIMS Hospital. Rescue teams reached the spot as soon as they received information. 6 fire brigade vehicles and 4 ambulances took part in the rescue operations. 14 children were completely burnt in the accident.
Inquiry committee formed under the chairmanship of Additional Deputy Commissioner
According to the administration, an 8-member committee has been formed under the chairmanship of Additional Deputy Commissioner to inquire into the incident. The inquiry committee will determine the causes of the fire.
The inquiry committee will be headed by Additional Deputy Commissioner General, while the DG of Capital Emergency Services and SP City are also included in the committee, Assistant Commissioner I-9 and DG CDA are also included in the committee.
Officers of IESCO and PIMS Hospital have also been included in the committee. The inquiry committee will submit a report within 24 hours after the investigation.
According to the district administration, the fire broke out on the third floor of the MCH ward of PIMS Hospital. A committee has been formed under the chairmanship of Additional Deputy Commissioner to inquire into the incident.
According to hospital officials, there were 16 children in the nursery at the time of the fire, only one could be saved.
All this was done deliberately, our children were disappeared: Victim
The parents have alleged that when the fire broke out, the staff was not in the incubation center, we were only told that the children had died, all this was done deliberately, our children were disappeared, none of us even saw the child’s clothes, we should be sure that our children died of burns.
The victim said that no doctor or staff came for an hour, how is it possible that when the fire broke out, not a single person in any other ward was even scratched.
Prime Minister expresses sorrow over the fire incident in PIMS, orders immediate investigation by the authorities
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sorrow over the death of 14 newborns in a fire in the nursery of PIMS Hospital and said that taking notice of the fire incident, he has directed the authorities to conduct an immediate investigation.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that such a situation with children is irreparable, the motives of the incident should be examined in detail, the responsible party should be determined and strictest action should be taken.
He said that his heart is saddened by the tragic incident, the parents share equally in this grief.
The concerned authorities are in touch with the parents, the Federal Health Minister
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said in his statement that the death of 14 children has been confirmed, the DG Health and the Secretary are in the hospital, the concerned authorities are in touch with the parents, I am also going to Islamabad from Karachi.
He said that if this incident happened due to someone’s negligence, it will be investigated and strict action will be taken against those responsible, if I am also at fault in this, I will not be spared either.
When asked by Geo News, Mustafa Kamal said that the staff there went to call for rescue, but the fire spread very quickly. Fire extinguishers were working in the hospital, and PIMS Hospital was working beyond its capacity.
