A fire broke out at a hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan, killing 14 infants, according to a BBC report published on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. The blaze occurred at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), a major public hospital in the capital.
BBC reports that the fire claimed the lives of 14 babies. Other outlets, including Al Arabiya and Saudi newspaper Al Riyadh, have reported slightly higher death tolls, with one citing 15 infant deaths and another stating more than 12. The exact number of casualties has not been independently confirmed by CYBEV.io.
The fire at PIMS has drawn widespread condolences from international and regional figures. Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry expressed sympathy to the families of the deceased and to the government and people of Pakistan, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The Muslim World League also offered its condolences to the victims of the hospital fire, as reported by the Saudi daily Al Madinah.
The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns at public healthcare facilities in Pakistan, where fires and other accidents have periodically resulted in loss of life. The cause of the blaze has not been disclosed in the available reporting, and authorities have not yet released an official statement on the investigation.
As the death toll is still being reported inconsistently across outlets, the coming days are likely to bring official confirmation from Pakistani health authorities on the final number of victims and the circumstances that led to the fire.
