At least 14 newborns died in a fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad on Wednesday, according to hospital officials. One infant was rescued.
The fire, which broke out at approximately 6:45 a.m. local time, was contained to the hospital's nursery in the gynecology ward. Officials stated that an air conditioning unit compressor explosion ignited the blaze.
Grieving families expressed their sorrow at the scene as investigators examined the damage. "I have lost my child," one woman, identified by The Associated Press as Mrs. Mohammad Sami, told the outlet. She had reportedly given birth three days prior.
In response to the incident, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif removed Health Secretary Aslam Ghauri from his position and ordered an immediate investigation into the fire. "A tragedy involving children is an irreparable loss," Sharif stated.
President Asif Ali Zardari also offered condolences to the affected families, describing the deaths as a "heartbreaking and an irreparable loss."