At least 14 infants die in Islamabad hospital fire

At least 14 infants died early on August 26, 2026, when a fire broke out in the gynaecology ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad. Local officials and hospital staff reported the blaze began around 7 a.m. local time after an air conditioner compressor exploded in the nursery.

The ward held 15 or 16 newborns at the time. One child was rescued. Rescue teams from the fire brigade and ambulances reached the third floor of the Mother and Child Hospital section. Footage showed workers using ladders and entering through broken windows. The fire was brought under control, and remaining children were moved to intensive care.

Islamabad Chief Commissioner Sohail Ashraf said an emergency call came just before 7 a.m. An inquiry committee headed by an additional deputy commissioner has been formed. PIMS spokesperson Dr Aneeza Jalil confirmed the short-circuit appearance of the incident. Hospital authorities described the children as completely burnt in the initial statement from the administration.

PIMS is the largest public-sector hospital in the Pakistani capital and one of its oldest major medical facilities. The gynaecology and newborn units handle high volumes of patients from the surrounding region. Questions about electrical safety and equipment maintenance in public hospitals have surfaced repeatedly in Pakistan, though no formal findings have been released in this case.

Parents gathered outside the hospital as news spread. One father, identified in local reports as Samiullah, was seen being consoled by relatives. The exact number of deaths has varied slightly across early accounts, ranging from 13 to 15, with some sources noting the toll could rise if other infants remain in critical condition.

Pakistan has faced recurring challenges with hospital infrastructure, including power and cooling systems during hot months. The incident occurs against a backdrop of strained public health resources. Officials have not yet released a full list of the victims or detailed medical histories.

The administration stated that cooling operations continued after the flames were extinguished. Police are investigating the precise cause and sequence of events. No arrests or suspensions have been announced as of the morning reports.

This is the latest in a series of industrial and institutional accidents that have claimed young lives in the country. Families and local media continue to press for transparent findings from the inquiry committee.