The Incident and the Official Account

· Casualties: At least 14 newborns died when a fire broke out in the nursery of the gynaecology ward at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS). Some reports initially mentioned 15 casualties, but the official count confirmed by authorities is 14.

· The Only Survivor: Of the 15 or 16 babies in the ward at the time, only one infant was rescued. The baby was saved by a doctor and an aunt who entered the burning ward.

· Cause: The fire started around 6:45 AM due to an explosion in an air-conditioning compressor. The blaze then spread rapidly, fueled by the oxygen connections and cylinders in the nursery.

· Official Response: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow and ordered an immediate inquiry. The federal health secretary was suspended, and an eight-member committee was formed to investigate.

Families' Allegations: The 'Devastating Questions'

The families of the victims have raised serious questions, contradicting parts of the official narrative and alleging severe negligence.

· Bodies and Identification: The families' claim that they did not receive the bodies is contradicted by official statements. Authorities have asserted that all bodies were handed over to the families after identification. However, some parents reported difficulty in identifying their children and have demanded DNA testing to confirm identities.

· Locked NICU Door: A major allegation is that the door to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was locked, hindering rescue efforts.

· Absence of Staff: Grieving parents have also alleged that no nursery staff or doctors were present when the fire started.

· Delayed Rescue: Families have claimed that rescue services and police arrived significantly late, with some reports suggesting a delay of up to two hours. One father, who lost his three-day-old daughter, expressed his anguish over the delay.

· Inadequate Safety Measures: A report by the Capital Development Authority found the hospital's fire safety arrangements to be inadequate. Rescue sources also reported that fire hoses were dysfunctional and evacuation routes were locked.