14 Babies Killed in Pakistan Hospital Fire

A devastating fire at a Pakistani hospital has killed at least 14 newborn babies, sparking outrage and calls for accountability. Witnesses who survived the tragedy told the BBC that the ward door was locked at the time of the blaze, preventing rescuers from reaching the infants quickly enough.

Hospital Denies Door Was Locked

Hospital authorities disputed the witnesses' accounts, telling the BBC that the door to the ward was not locked but was instead manned by security guards placed there to protect the babies from potential theft or harm. However, families of the victims have rejected this explanation, demanding an independent investigation into the circumstances of the fire.

Calls for Accountability

The tragedy has prompted an outpouring of grief across Pakistan, with politicians and public figures calling for those responsible to be held accountable. Child welfare advocates have warned that hospital fire safety standards across the country are dangerously inadequate.

Pakistani authorities have launched a formal investigation into the incident. Hospitals in Pakistan have faced repeated scrutiny over safety standards, with fires and other emergencies highlighting systemic failures in the healthcare infrastructure.

Survivors and Investigation

Several babies survived the incident and are receiving emergency care. Officials have pledged a swift and transparent inquiry into the fire's cause and the circumstances that led to such a high death toll among the most vulnerable patients.