Hospital fire in Pakistan kills 14 children in maternity ward

The fire erupted in the mother and child health ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, a leading public hospital in the capital. Emergency responders rushed to the scene and worked to evacuate patients and contain the flames on the third floor where the maternity unit is located.

The incident resulted in significant loss of life, with authorities confirming 14 children died in the blaze. Multiple patients and hospital staff were also affected by the fire, prompting a major emergency response from local fire and rescue services.

The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation. Initial reports suggest the blaze spread rapidly through the ward, hampering evacuation efforts and rescue operations. Hospital officials and government authorities have launched inquiries into the incident.

The tragedy has intensified scrutiny of fire safety protocols and emergency preparedness at healthcare institutions across Pakistan. Patient safety advocates have called for a comprehensive review of fire prevention measures and evacuation procedures at hospitals nationwide to prevent similar incidents in the future.