ISLAMABAD, August 26. /Dunyo IA/. At least 15 infants were killed in a fire at a state-run hospital in Pakistan’s capital, reports Dunyo IA correspondent, citing Pakistani broadcaster “Geo News.”

The fire broke out at around 7:00 a.m. local time on the third floor of the mother and child health ward at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS). The preliminary cause was reported to be a malfunction in the air-conditioning system.

There were 16 newborns in the ward when the fire broke out. One of them was rescued.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ordered an immediate investigation. He said those responsible for the incident should be identified and held accountable.

The area was cordoned off, with ambulances seen outside the hospital.

PIMS is one of the largest public hospitals in Islamabad. The incident is among the deadliest hospital fires in Pakistan in recent years.

Photo credit: Reuters