Locked Door Amid Fire in Islamabad Hospital Leaves 14 Babies Dead

Sun Sep 06 2026 06:43:16 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A blaze at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences' maternity ward killed 14 newborns and left victims blaming a locked door and poor safety measures.

In the early hours of August 26, a fire erupted in the maternity ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, killing 14 newborn infants. Witnesses reported that the ward door was locked and that emergency protocols were absent, forcing staff and families to improvise break‑outs. The tragedy has sparked criticism of Pakistan’s hospital safety standards and prompted the Prime Minister to order an investigation and suspend a senior health official.

Locked Door Amid Fire in Islamabad Hospital Leaves 14 Babies Dead

In the early dawn of August 26, a blaze broke out in the maternity ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad. The fire, sparked by an over‑flown air‑conditioning unit, quickly engulfed the room, killing 14 newborn infants and leaving several families traumatised.

Women leaving PIMS ward as police intervene — Women and police outside PIMS ward during the emergency.

Witnesses and survivors said the ward’s main door was locked. "We kept crying and wailing for two hours while police finally came after four hours,” said Jaweria, mother of a deceased baby. Hospital executives deny the door was locked, arguing that it was manned to prevent baby theft.

The fire raised questions about PIMS’s safety measures. Hivsa Walid, who fled the ward with a baby that day, noted a lack of fire extinguishers and protocols. “I tried to get inside to rescue patients but couldn’t reach the ward,” said Abdul Ghafoor. Rescue teams reportedly arrived close to two hours after the emergency call.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed “deep sorrow” over the tragedy and ordered an immediate investigation. Health Secretary Aslam Ghauri was suspended, with the government promising to review hospital safety standards nationwide.

Despite the evacuation chaos, only one of the 15 babies present survived. The incident underscores ongoing concerns about building codes, fire safety, and emergency response in Pakistan’s public hospitals.