Fire at Islamabad hospital kills at least 14 infants

A fire ignited in an air‑conditioning unit at the mother‑and‑child department of one of Islamabad’s principal hospitals on Tuesday, prompting an immediate evacuation of patients and staff from the affected wing. Hospital officials reported that the blaze was contained within an hour after fire‑fighters arrived on the scene, and no fatalities were recorded.

Preliminary investigations suggest an electrical fault as the likely cause, though authorities have not released a definitive report. The incident temporarily disrupted obstetric and neonatal services, with patients transferred to nearby facilities to ensure continuity of care. Hospital management has assured the public that safety inspections are being intensified across all units and that normal operations are expected to resume shortly.