At least 15 infants were killed when a fire broke out at the state-run Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad on Wednesday (August 26), local broadcaster Geo TV reported.

The blaze began around 7 a.m. (0200 GMT) in the hospital’s mother and child health ward and was triggered by a fault in air conditioning systems, Geo said. Of 16 newborns in the ward, one was rescued.

The father of a victim, who did not provide his name, said he was not even able to see his daughter and criticised conditions in the ward, saying it lacked proper fire safety measures and exits, with most doors kept closed and only one entrance available for families visiting their children.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an immediate investigation and said those responsible should face the strictest action.

The ward was cordoned off as emergency crews and ambulances remained outside the hospital.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

1. CROWD OF PEOPLE GATHERED OUTSIDE PIMS HOSPITAL

2. BROKEN HOSPITAL WINDOWS, RESCUE WORKERS INSIDE

3. SHATTERED GLASS ON GROUND

4. WOMEN SITTING ON GROUND CRYING

5. BROKEN HOSPITAL WINDOWS, RESCUE WORKERS INSIDE

6. FIRETRUCKS PARKED OUTSIDE HOSPITAL, PEOPLE WALKING PAST

7. FIREFIGHTERS STANDING

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) FATHER OF VICTIM, NO NAME GIVEN, SAYING:

“I wasn’t even able to see my daughter, but the condition of the ward is bad. I’ve been going there for eight days, the situation was absurd. My wife is in this building and is in much better condition. That building had no fire security, no proper exits. All doors were closed, only one door was for us to visit our children. They kept the other doors locked because they feared we would come to see our children too often."

9. SECURITY PERSONNEL AND PEOPLE GATHERED OUTSIDE HOSPITAL ENTRANCE