A fire ripped through a hospital nursery in Pakistan's capital on Wednesday morning, killing at least 14 newborn babies, hospital officials have confirmed. The blaze broke out on the third floor of the mother and child unit of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), one of the main state-run hospitals in the city.
Fire started in nursery
The nursery housed at least 15 newborns when the fire broke out, hospital officials said. At least one baby was rescued. Rescue officials said the fire began at about 6:45 a.m., after the compressor of an air-conditioning unit reportedly exploded inside the nursery, which is part of the hospital's gynecology ward.
Firefighters quickly responded and extinguished the blaze, and rescue teams were carrying out cooling operations at the site, local media reported. Authorities say the blaze has now been extinguished.
Prime Minister expresses sorrow
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has released a statement expressing "deep sorrow and heartfelt regret" over the hospital fire. Sharif has instructed authorities to "conduct an immediate investigation", according to the statement from his office.
"Such a situation with children is irreparable", the statement continues. Sharif expresses his "heartfelt condolences to the families of the innocent children", adding "his heart is saddened by this tragic incident".
The Mirror has contacted Shehbaz Sharif's press office and the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences for comment.
