14 Infants Who Died in PIMS Hospital Fire Laid to Rest; UN, Saudi Arabia, and Iran Express Grief
ISLAMABAD: The 14 newborn babies who tragically lost their lives in the devastating fire at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) hospital nursery have been laid to rest, leaving grieving families and communities engulfed in profound sorrow. Out of the 15 infants present in the nursery at the time of the disaster, only one child was rescued by an aunt.
Heartbroken parents in Rawalpindi expressed utter devastation, stating that no matter how many inquiries are conducted or officials penalized, the flowers of their households can never bloom again. One grieving mother shared that after waiting four years, a child finally blessed her home, only for the infant to be taken away beneath the earth. A father from Rawalpindi, speaking through tearful eyes, questioned the state of public healthcare facilities, saying, “What complaint can I make? I bow my head in submission to Allah’s will.”
Another resident from Shamsabad, Rawalpindi, revealed critical flaws in public medical infrastructure during an interview, noting that a daughter welcomed after years of prayers passed away just three days later, leaving behind an unbearable mountain of grief. He stated that the hospital is far too small for such a massive population, lacking basic facilities and adequate treatment, while questioning where billions of rupees in government funding disappear. “I appeal to authorities to have mercy on this nation,” he added.
International Condolences and Solidarity
Global and regional leaders expressed deep sorrow over the catastrophe:
- United Nations: The UN issued a statement expressing profound grief over the PIMS hospital tragedy, offering deep sympathies to the bereaved parents and calling the loss of newborns an unimaginable sorrow for families. The UN stated it stands ready to provide all possible assistance to the Pakistani government.
- China: The Chinese Embassy in Islamabad released a statement expressing deep regret over the loss of 14 precious newborn lives at PIMS, offering heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the mourning families.
- United Kingdom: The British High Commission in Pakistan stated in an announcement that the news of 14 newborns perishing in the PIMS fire is deeply distressing, noting that sympathies during this difficult hour lie entirely with the parents and families.
- Saudi Arabia: The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an official statement conveying deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the families of the victims, the government, and the people of the brotherly Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Riyadh expressed full solidarity with the affected families and the Pakistani nation, praying for their continued safety and security.
- Iran: Iran also formally expressed sorrow over the PIMS tragedy, conveying complete solidarity with the grieving families and sharing in the profound grief of the nation.
Initial Investigation Findings on the Cause of Fire
According to preliminary reports compiled by the hospital administration, the disaster was triggered when a nebulizer connected to an oxygen supply system near an incubator in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) burst, causing the oxygen to ignite.
The preliminary findings indicate that the blaze generated heavy toxic smoke that traveled through ventilation pipes into the infants’ breathing apparatuses. The primary causes of death were confirmed as asphyxiation due to cut-off oxygen supply and severe burns.