Fire at hospital nursery in Pakistan capital kills at least 14 newborns, officials say

A fire in a hospital nursery in Pakistan’s capital killed at least 14 newborns, hospital officials and the federal government said, in a deadly incident that also prompted emergency staff to try to evacuate infants from the ward, according to reports on Wednesday.

The blaze broke out in the nursery of a major government hospital in Islamabad, with officials saying the deaths occurred among babies being treated in the unit. Authorities did not immediately provide a detailed breakdown of the victims’ conditions beyond the confirmed death toll, which remained at at least 14 as investigators began collecting information at the scene.

Emergency crews responded to the fire at the hospital and worked to bring the flames under control. Hospital officials said they were coordinating with authorities as the incident unfolded, while the government indicated it would review the circumstances that led to the blaze and the hospital’s safety practices.

Government and hospital officials also said they were treating the incident as an investigation priority, with teams expected to examine factors such as the origin of the fire, whether safety systems were functioning as required, and how staff handled evacuation and emergency procedures in the moments after smoke and flames were detected.

Families of patients were affected as authorities secured the area and moved between the ward and other parts of the facility to account for children and staff. In similar incidents in the region, officials often face scrutiny over fire safety compliance, emergency exits, and staff training, particularly in neonatal units where occupants cannot self-evacuate.

Officials have not yet released the names of the hospital or the victims, nor have they said whether any additional injuries among newborns or staff were confirmed. As of the initial reporting, the death toll was the key figure cited by both hospital officials and government representatives.

The investigation is expected to focus on cause and accountability, including whether the fire stemmed from electrical faults, improperly stored materials, malfunctioning equipment, or other safety failures. Further updates would be expected as investigators complete on-site inspections and compile witness and records from the hospital and emergency response.