PIMS tragedy: bodies of all 14 deceased newborns handed over to parents: Talal

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said on Wednesday that the initial report on the PIMS hospital fire that killed 14 newborns has been sent to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Talking to the media after visiting the PIMS hospital, he described the incident as deeply distressing.

Chaudhry said that the fire occurred between 6am and 7am and that a rescue operation was launched immediately after the emergency was reported.

He said the rescue operation had been completed and that all 14 deceased infants had been identified through medical procedures before their bodies were handed over to their parents.

He said that all 14 deceased newborns’ bodies have been handed over to their parents.

According to the minister, 19 people were rescued from the affected area, including seven newborns, two men and 10 women.

Chaudhry said that rescue teams reached PIMS within six minutes of receiving the alert at the control room, adding that there had been no administrative lapse in the rescue operation.

He said Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi continued to monitor the situation throughout the operation.

Chaudhry said that the prime minister had constituted an inquiry committee to investigate the incident, adding that CCTV footage and other evidence had been secured.

The committee will examine the hospital’s fire-safety arrangements and identify any shortcomings, he said.

It will also look into whether emergency exits were closed and whether doctors and other staff were present when the fire broke out.

Chaudhry said that three glass windows of the nursery were broken during the rescue operation to facilitate the evacuation of people trapped inside.

He urged people to avoid making allegations before the inquiry was completed, saying the authorities should be given time to establish which gate or route, if any, was closed during the incident.

He said the process of determining responsibility and taking action would begin after the inquiry was completed.

Health secretary removed

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has suspended Federal Health Secretary Aslam Ghori and removed him from office following the tragedy, according to an official notification.

The notification said Housing Secretary retired Captain Muhammad Mahmood had been given additional charge of the health secretary’s post.

PIMS forms separate inquiry committee

The PIMS administration has also constituted a five-member committee to investigate the incident.

Professor Umar Farooq will head the committee, which has been tasked with reviewing available evidence and presenting its recommendations.

The committee will prepare its report within 48 hours, according to the PIMS administration.

The latest inquiries come amid growing questions over fire-safety arrangements, emergency preparedness and the response of hospital staff during the blaze that claimed the lives of 14 newborns.