Pakistan Islamabad Newborn Unit Fire (August 2026)

2026 Islamabad hospital fire was a fire that occurred on 26 August 2026 in the maternity and child health unit of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, resulting in the deaths of at least 14 newborn infants. Some local sources reported the death toll as 15. The fire has been recorded as one of the deadliest hospital fires in Pakistan in recent years.

The fire broke out at approximately 07:00 local time on the morning of 26 August on the third floor of the Maternity and Child Center at PIMS, a public hospital in Islamabad. According to initial statements by hospital officials, the fire originated in an air conditioning unit, and rescue teams suggested it may have been caused by an explosion or electrical short circuit in the air conditioning compressor.

At the time the fire started, 15 newborns were reported to be in the neonatal unit. Some of the infants were in incubators while others were connected to oxygen support. Only one infant was reported to have been rescued during the fire.

Initial reports announced that at least 14 newborns had died in the fire, while Pakistan-based Geo TV, citing hospital sources, reported that the death toll had risen to 15. The fire was eventually brought under control and extinguished by firefighters and emergency response teams.

Emergency teams evacuated at least 19 people from other sections of the hospital, including 10 women, 7 children and 2 men. It was announced that DNA tests would be conducted to identify some of the deceased infants and that the bodies would be released to their families after identification.

Following the incident, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and ordered an immediate investigation to determine the cause of the fire. Sharif stated that strict action would be taken against anyone found responsible for the incident.

An inquiry committee has also been established by the Islamabad Capital Territory Administration to investigate the causes of the fire and possible negligence. The committee has been instructed to submit its findings within 24 hours.

PIMS is one of Islamabad’s major public hospitals and has 156 beds in its maternity and child health unit. Following the fire, renewed discussions emerged regarding electrical infrastructure, fire safety and emergency preparedness in hospitals. It has been noted that public health institutions in Pakistan have long faced challenges related to funding, staff shortages, aging infrastructure and inadequate emergency preparedness.

Large fires have occurred in hospitals and other public buildings in Pakistan in previous years. Sources indicate that outdated electrical systems, deficiencies in building safety regulations and insufficient enforcement of existing rules have been significant risk factors in these incidents. In early 2026, dozens of people also lost their lives in a major fire at a shopping mall in Karachi.