A deadly fire erupted in the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) on Wednesday, claiming the lives of at least 14 children, according to officials.
The fire broke out in the nursery housing 15 newborns, one of whom was rescued.
Families of victims accused authorities of serious negligence, claiming that no staff members were present in the nursery when the fire erupted. They also alleged that rescue services arrived about two hours later, while police reached the hospital four hours after the incident.
According to the CDA Fire Brigade Department, the hospital had inadequate arrangements for fire prevention and life safety.
It added that emergency exits were permanently closed from the outside, and there were obstacles in the paths.
Men are reflected in the glass window of an ambulance as a coffin carrying a victim is placed inside, following a deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences hospital in Islamabad, August 26, 2026.— Reuters
Javeria, mother of a newborn victim, leans on her husband’s shoulder as she mourns following a deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences hospital in Islamabad, August 26, 2026.— Reuters
A police officer stands guard following a deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences hospital in Islamabad, August 26, 2026.— Reuters
A worker removes broken pieces of a glass window after a fire broke out at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences hospital in Islamabad, August 26, 2026.— Reuters
A woman carrying an infant moves past police officers as she leaves a ward following a deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences hospital in Islamabad, August 26, 2026.— Reuters
A man speaks on a mobile phone next to a coffin containing the body of newborn victim inside an ambulance following a deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences hospital in Islamabad, August 26, 2026.— Reuters
A man speaks on this mobile phone next to a coffin containing the body of a newborn victim inside an ambulance following a deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences hospital in Islamabad, August 26, 2026.— Reuters
Ambulances are parked outside a mortuary following a deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences hospital in Islamabad, August 26, 2026.— Reuters
Family members and police officers stand outside a mortuary following a deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences hospital in Islamabad, August 26, 2026.— Reuters
Police officers move past an ambulance outside an intensive care unit after a fire broke out at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences hospital in Islamabad, August 26, 2026.— Reuters
Samiullah, father of a newborn victim, is consoled following a deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences hospital in Islamabad, August 26, 2026.— Reuters
Police officers stand guard following a deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences hospital in Islamabad, August 26, 2026.
Members of Anti-Terrorist Squad move past a fire engine following a deadly fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences hospital in Islamabad, August 26, 2026.— Reuters
