About 14 infants were killed after a fire broke out at a government-run hospital in Pakistan’s Islamabad.
The fire was reportedly triggered by a fault in the air conditioning system, according to local broadcaster Geo TV.
The fire, which broke out at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) hospital, started around two hours ago, the broadcaster said, adding that "cooling operations" were ongoing.
The Islamabad administration said that the fire occurred on the third floor of the Mother and Child Hospital’s ward. “The fire was immediately brought under control, and the children were immediately shifted to the intensive care unit,” it said, adding that 14 babies had died.
Rescue teams rushed to the scene with six fire brigades and four ambulances to conduct a rescue operation.
The gynaecology ward had 15 newborns at the time of the fire. One of the infants was rescued by a doctor, according to Geo TV.
Authorities say that the blaze was extinguished.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his "deep sorrow and heartfelt regret" over the hospital fire.
He has also instructed authorities to "conduct an immediate investigation", according to the statement from his office. "Such a situation with children is irreparable", he said.
Sharif expressed his "heartfelt condolences to the families of the innocent children", adding "his heart is saddened by this tragic incident".
About 19 other people were rescued from the fire, including 10 women, seven children and two men.
PIMS is Islamabad’s biggest public sector hospital and one of the two oldest health facilities in the capital.
The hospital had 156 beds in its maternal and child health (MCH) unit, according to its website.
