Islamabad PIMS Hospital Fire: Testimonies Reveal Delayed Rescue as 14 Babies Perish
BBC News reports on a devastating fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) hospital in Islamabad, where 14 infants lost their lives.
Witnesses share harrowing accounts of the event, which unfolded at dawn on Wednesday in the hospital’s maternity ward. Hivsa Walid, who was present with her sister-in-law, describes a chaotic scene of smoke and panic. They quickly escaped with a newborn, unaware of the full extent of the tragedy.
The fire originated in an air-conditioning unit on the third floor, leaving only one baby saved. Khurram Mehmood, a father whose daughter perished, expresses his grief, while Jaweria, another mother, questions the response of authorities, claiming the ward’s door was locked for hours.
Rana Imran Sikander, PIMS’s executive director, contradicts these claims, stating that while the ward was secured, it was done to prevent baby theft, a concern that has arisen in the past. Walid, however, criticizes the hospital’s safety measures, suggesting they were inadequate despite PIMS’s reputation.
Eyewitnesses report a lack of staff presence and delayed response from rescue teams. They had to break down doors to access the ward, and windows were smashed to escape the thick smoke. Abdul Ghafoor, a witness, attempted to enter but was unable to reach the affected area.
Despite initial reports suggesting swift action by rescue teams, Islamabad’s Chief Commissioner Sohail Ashraf maintains that response teams arrived immediately after the emergency call. PIMS, a major healthcare facility in Islamabad, has 156 beds dedicated to maternal and child health.
This tragedy highlights Pakistan’s ongoing challenges with safety laws and building codes, as major fires have plagued the country in recent years.
