At least 15 babies killed in Islamabad hospital blaze
At least 15 newborn babies have died in a fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad, the Pakistani prime minister’s office confirmed on Wednesday. One baby was rescued, while early local reports placed the death toll as high as 15.
The blaze began at about 6.45am local time inside a newborn nursery in the government-run hospital’s mother-and-child wing. Dawn initially reported that casualties were feared as emergency crews responded.
Speaking to Geo News, Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said the fatal incident occurred due to a «blast in the air conditioner» located in the ward. The explosion caused the fire, which worsened because of the oxygen tanks.
Firefighters extinguished the flames and began cooling operations, according to rescue officials cited by the Associated Press. At least 15 babies were reportedly inside the nursery.
A PIMS hospital official said the fire in the Children’s Ward broke out at around 6:45am in an air-conditioning unit and spread rapidly after coming into contact with oxygen connections supplying the patients.
— Sajjad Tarakzai (@SajjadTarakzai) August 26, 2026
Fifteen children were in the ward at the time.
The oxygen… pic.twitter.com/Uw9W2qdB93
Investigation ordered as casualty figures differ
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an immediate investigation and called for those responsible to face action.
Preliminary information from rescue officials suggested that the compressor of an air-conditioning unit may have exploded. The investigation has not yet established the cause.
A #fire has broken out in the children’s ward at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Hospital in #Islamabad, killing at least 15 newborns. #GeoNews reported that the nursery at PIMS housed 16 newborns at the time of the incident only 1 rescued. pic.twitter.com/nmrIyXDwB6
— Surbhi Garwal (@surbhigarwal) August 26, 2026
The affected ward was sealed off. The casualty figure may change as the hospital and government release further information.
The Islamabad blaze follows several unrelated disasters across Asian cities in recent weeks. A sofa factory fire in Riyadh killed 16 Bangladeshi workers, while a landslide in Mumbai left five people dead and a Bangkok bar fire killed 27 and critically injured eight, renewing scrutiny of building safety and emergency preparedness.
