A fire declared in the gynecology room of a hospital in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, has caused the death of at least 14 newborn babies who were admitted in that area and who, according to local authorities, "have been completely burned." The incident occurred at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS, for its acronym in English).
The district administration of the capital has reported, in a statement released by the Pakistani newspaper Dawn, that "the fire was immediately controlled and the children were immediately transferred to the intensive care unit," although it has admitted that 14 of the little ones "have been completely burned."
The spokesperson for PIMS, Dr. Aniza Jalil, explained to the same media that there were a total of 15 newborns in the room, but that "at least one baby was saved by a doctor." Emergency efforts focused on quickly evacuating the minors and containing the flames within the affected area.
According to the Geo TV network, which cites sources from the rescue services, the origin of the fire would be the explosion of an air conditioning compressor installed in the room itself, which would have caused the rapid spread of the fire before the staff could fully react.
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," states the message released by his office.
In addition, the head of government "has ordered the authorities to immediately investigate" the causes of the incident, as detailed by his 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," the leader has demanded, insisting that accountability be enforced.
From the United Nations, they have also spoken out about the tragedy. The representative of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Pakistan, Pernille Ironside, has "deeply" lamented the "tragic death" of the fourteen newborns as a consequence of the fire declared in the hospital of the Pakistani capital.
"We extend our sincerest condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones and to all the people affected by this devastating incident," stated Ironside, before emphasizing that "every newborn deserves a safe start in life, and every mother and every child must be able to receive care in a safe healthcare facility."
In the same vein, the head of UNICEF has urged to strengthen safety protocols: "UNICEF calls for an urgent review and reinforcement of fire prevention and safety standards in healthcare facilities, to ensure that every mother and every child can receive the care they need in a safe environment," she concluded, according to a statement released by the international organization itself.