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Fire Erupts At Pakistan Nursery For Newborns Killing 14
Confirmed
Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent ISLAMABAD ( Worthy News ) – Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed sorrow and ordered an immediate investigation after a fire erupted early Wednesday at a nursery for newborns in a major government hospital in Pakistan’s capital, killing more than a dozen babies.
At least 14 babies at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences died in a nursery fire Wednesday, while one infant was rescued, according to hospital officials. Rescue officials reported the fire began at about 6:45 a.m. local time, apparently after the compressor of an air-conditioning unit exploded inside the nursery, which is part of the hospital’s gynecology ward.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday ordered the suspension of eight officials and directed that criminal proceedings be initiated against those found responsible for a fire that killed 14 newborns at an Islamabad hospital, his office said.
Sharif issued the orders after an investigative committee headed by retired senior civil servant Shahid Khan presented its interim report on Wednesday’s fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, or PIMS, his office said in a statement.
The inquiry found that the nursery had no fire alarm or sprinkler system and that the hospital lacked detailed procedures and training for responding to fires and other emergencies, the statement said. The fire was confined to a third-floor nursery but officials said it spread so quickly that staff were able to rescue only one baby from among the 15 being cared for there.
Emergency services were not called until six minutes after the fire started, and the first emergency responders arrived 15 minutes after receiving the call, the statement said. A subsequent inquiry found serious safety shortcomings, including problems with fire extinguishers and the evacuation of babies, Pakistani media reported.
The statement said the interim inquiry found that supervisory staff were not on duty when the fire began. Authorities said the fire was caused by an exploding air conditioner.
The blaze at the major government hospital in the capital Islamabad broke out at about 6:45 a.m. after an air conditioning unit compressor exploded, hospital and rescue officials said. "One baby was rescued by a doctor," hospital spokesperson Dr. Aneeza Jalil said, adding that six of the deceased infants' bodies had been given over to families, while the remaining bodies would be given over soon.
What's confirmed
- Rescue officials reported the fire began at about 6:45 a.m. local time, apparently after the compressor of an air-conditioning unit exploded inside the nursery, which is part of the hospital’s gynecology ward.
- The blaze at the major government hospital in the capital Islamabad broke out at about 6:45 a.m. after an air conditioning unit compressor exploded, hospital and rescue officials said.
- Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent ISLAMABAD ( Worthy News ) – Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed sorrow and ordered an immediate investigation after a fire erupted early Wednesday at
- At least 14 babies at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences died in a nursery fire Wednesday, while one infant was rescued, according to hospital officials.
- Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday ordered the suspension of eight officials and directed that criminal proceedings be initiated against those found responsible for a fire that killed 14 newborns at an I
- Sharif issued the orders after an investigative committee headed by retired senior civil servant Shahid Khan presented its interim report on Wednesday’s fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, or PIMS, his of
What's still developing
- Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent ISLAMABAD ( Worthy News ) – Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed sorrow and ordered an immediate investigation after a fire erupted early Wednesday…
- Video footage obtained by Worthy News showed masked firefighters struggling with heavy smoke as they entered the building to find survivors.
- A subsequent inquiry found serious safety shortcomings, including problems with fire extinguishers and the evacuation of babies, Pakistani media reported.
- A joint survey by Lahore civic authorities, for instance, found 495 of 605 high-rise buildings examined lacked adequate firefighting and safety arrangements.
- Authorities said the fire was caused by an exploding air conditioner.
- At least 14 babies at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences died in a nursery fire Wednesday, while one infant was rescued, according to hospital officials.
- "One baby was rescued by a doctor," hospital spokesperson Dr. Aneeza Jalil said, adding that six of the deceased infants' bodies had been given over to families, while the remaining bodies would be given over soon.
- Sheik) Video showed grieving families distraught with sorrow as investigators examined blasted out windows and authorities worked to secure the scene.