Pakistan hospital nursery fire kills 14 newborns

A devastating fire at the nursery ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad resulted in the deaths of 14 newborns on Wednesday, August 26. Of the 15 infants in the nursery at the time of the incident, only one survived.

Staff nurse Razia Noreen was credited with rescuing the sole survivor. According to security camera footage and government inquiry timestamps, Noreen entered the nursery during the blaze and emerged eight seconds later carrying a baby. Following the incident, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif presented Noreen with an award for her courage.

Reports indicate a blast occurred, quickly filling the ward with thick smoke. Rescue workers were forced to break through a concrete grill and a window to access the area. In response to the tragedy, Pakistan has suspended eight officials as part of an ongoing investigation.