A fire at a newborn nursery in Pakistan's capital early Wednesday resulted in the deaths of 14 infants, according to hospital officials and the government. The blaze occurred at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad.

The nursery, located within the hospital's gynecology ward, was housing at least 15 newborns when the fire began around 6:45 a.m. Officials stated that the fire appeared to have started after the compressor of an air-conditioning unit exploded.

Firefighters responded quickly and extinguished the flames. Rescue teams were engaged in cooling operations at the scene, according to local media reports. At least one baby was successfully rescued from the nursery.

Parents gathered outside the hospital, visibly distressed, comforting one another as they awaited news.

A father reacts after the death of his child following a fire incident outside the Mother and Child Health (MCH) ward at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Hospital in Islamabad

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his condolences over the tragedy and ordered an immediate investigation into the incident. A statement from his office confirmed the death toll of 14 newborns, with Sharif calling the loss of children an "irreparable loss."

Parents were seen in tears outside the hospital as they attempted to comfort one another upon hearing the news