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PIMS Fire Evidence Secured as Inquiry Moves Forward
PIMS Fire investigators have secured CCTV footage and other evidence from the scene as authorities begin a detailed inquiry into the devastating blaze at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said Wednesday.
Speaking to the media after visiting the hospital, Chaudhry said the government had preserved all available evidence to establish what happened inside the nursery and determine whether any negligence contributed to the tragedy. He said the investigation would also establish how many doctors and members of the hospital staff were present when the fire broke out.
CCTV Footage to Aid PIMS Fire Investigation
Talal Chaudhry said administrative officers were present at the hospital following the incident and that any failure or negligence would become clear during the inquiry.
The minister said CCTV footage had been secured along with other relevant material, allowing investigators to reconstruct the sequence of events. The investigation is expected to examine staffing levels, emergency procedures and the response to the fire.
According to the Associated Press of Pakistan, the government has launched a high-level inquiry into the incident, with evidence being preserved specifically to help determine the cause and establish responsibility if negligence is found.
Rescue Operation and Hospital Response
Chaudhry said the initial rescue operation had been completed and its report was submitted to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
He said rescue teams reached PIMS within approximately six minutes of receiving the fire alert. Radio Pakistan reported that 19 people, including seven children, were rescued during the operation.
The fire erupted on the third floor of the Mother and Child Health ward at PIMS early Wednesday. Rescue teams brought the blaze under control and subsequently carried out cooling operations.
Conflicting Death Toll Reports
According to the latest information cited by PIMS officials in local reports, 16 newborns were present in the nursery when the fire broke out, with 15 dying and one being rescued.
However, the reported death toll has varied during the rapidly developing story. Reuters, Dawn and several other major outlets have reported 14 deaths, while some local reports have cited 15. Reuters reported that 16 infants were in the ward and one was rescued, while Al Jazeera noted the discrepancy between local reports and the official figure.
The discrepancy underscores the importance of the ongoing investigation and formal identification process.
Government Orders Accountability
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an immediate investigation into the tragedy and called for those responsible for any negligence to face strict action.
Officials are expected to examine the circumstances that led to the fire, the condition of the hospital’s safety systems and the availability of medical and emergency personnel at the time.
Initial reports have linked the fire to an air-conditioning unit or compressor, but authorities are expected to establish the definitive cause through the investigation rather than rely on preliminary accounts.
Inquiry to Determine Negligence
The preservation of CCTV footage is expected to be a key part of the investigation because it may help establish movements of staff, patients and emergency personnel before and during the fire.
Talal Chaudhry stressed that any negligence would emerge through the inquiry. The government has indicated that responsibility will be fixed if investigators identify failures in duty or safety procedures.
The PIMS tragedy has also intensified concerns about fire preparedness in hospitals, particularly neonatal units where infants may depend on incubators, oxygen and immediate assistance.
As investigators begin reviewing the evidence, families of the deceased newborns are awaiting definitive answers about what caused the fire and whether the tragedy could have been prevented.See More on Pulse Pakistan
