Pakistan hospital fire kills 14 newborns in maternity ward tragedy

A devastating fire at a maternity hospital in Pakistan has claimed the lives of 14 newborns, with only one child surviving out of 15 infants in the ward at the time. Security footage shows an air conditioning unit exploding in the early hours, with flames spreading throughout the department within seconds. Medical experts have attributed the rapid spread to the high concentration of oxygen present in the maternity ward, which intensified the fire’s progression.

The incident has left families devastated, with grieving parents being informed of their children’s deaths outside the hospital building. Bodies were removed in boxes as emergency responders worked through the aftermath. One anguished father described the horror of the moment, saying: “My daughter was born just three days ago. Please, give me back my child.”

Pakistani authorities have launched an investigation into the disaster. The country’s Prime Minister has demanded a full inquiry into how such a tragedy could occur, with officials vowing to examine safety protocols across the nation’s health facilities. The incident has sparked urgent questions about fire safety standards and emergency procedures in Pakistani hospitals.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has expressed shock at the tragedy, joining international calls for a thorough investigation. The organisation is also expected to coordinate with local authorities to provide support to affected families and review fire safety measures at healthcare facilities across the region.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.