A fire broke out early Wednesday at a newborn nursery in a major government hospital in Pakistan's capital, killing 14 infants, hospital officials and the government said.
At least 15 newborns were being treated in the nursery at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences when the fire broke out, according to hospital authorities. One baby was rescued from the facility.
Rescue officials said the fire started around 6:45 a.m., apparently after the compressor of an air-conditioning unit exploded inside the nursery, which is located in the hospital's gynecology ward.
Firefighters quickly reached the scene and brought the blaze under control. Rescue teams were later conducting cooling operations at the site, local media reported.
A spokesperson for the hospital did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the deaths and ordered an immediate investigation into the incident. His office confirmed that 14 newborns had died.
“A tragedy involving children is an irreparable loss,” Sharif said.