Newborns killed in Pakistan hospital blaze

A fire swept through a nursery at Islamabad’s largest public medical center, according to officials At least fourteen newborn babies have been killed after a fire tore through a nursery at a major government hospital in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad, according to the city administration and hospital officials. The fire broke out at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) early on Wednesday on the third floor of PIMS’ Mother and Child Health ward. Rescue officials said it began at around 6:45am local time after the compressor of an air-conditioning unit apparently exploded inside the nursery, although the precise cause has not yet been established. Firefighters brought the blaze under control and began cooling operations. Initial reports gave conflicting casualty figures, with Reuters citing Geo TV as saying 15 of 16 newborns had died. The Islamabad administration later confirmed 14 deaths, while PIMS said 15 babies had been in the nursery. At least one baby was rescued by a doctor, PIMS spokesperson Dr. Aneeza Jalil told reporters, adding that the fire may have been caused by a short circuit. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an immediate investigation and ca...