15 newborns die in Islamabad hospital fire; one of 16 rescued

 At least 15 newborns died in a fire that broke out in the gynaecology ward of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) on Wednesday, with only one of the 16 babies in the nursery rescued.

Local broadcaster Geo TV said a fault in the air-conditioning system triggered the blaze, The Hindu reported. PIMS officials said cooling operations were ongoing, reported media.

The death toll was still moving through the morning. Dunya News put the count at 12, The Hindu reported at least 14, while other media reports said 15.

The nursery housed 16 newborns when the fire broke out. One baby was rescued from the ward, PIMS officials said, according to reports.