A fire declared in the gynecology room of a hospital in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, has caused the death of at least 14 newborns who were admitted there and who, according to local authorities, "have been completely burned."
The administration of the capital district has confirmed this in a statement released by the Pakistani newspaper 'Dawn', which details that "the fire was immediately controlled and the children were immediately transferred to the intensive care unit," although it has admitted that 14 of them "have been completely burned."
The spokesperson for the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Dr. Aneeza Jalil, explained to the same outlet that there were 15 newborns in the room, but that "at least one baby was saved by a doctor."
According to the Geo TV network, which cites sources from the emergency services, the origin of the flames would be the explosion of an air conditioning compressor located inside the room.
The office of the Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, has confirmed on social media the number of fatalities: "Shehbaz Sharif has expressed his deep sorrow for the tragic fire in the newborn room of the PIMS Hospital, in which 14 babies have died," the publication states.
Furthermore, the head of government "has ordered the authorities to investigate immediately" what happened, according to Sharif's office. "A situation like this, with children, is irreparable. The reasons for the incident must be thoroughly examined, those responsible determined, and the strictest measures taken," he has demanded.