‘Give Me My Child Back’: Grief, Fury After Pakistan Hospital Fire Kills 14 Newborns

It was just after dawn on Wednesday morning at the maternity ward of Pakistan’s largest public hospital when a horrific blaze erupted, turning a place of new beginnings into a scene of unimaginable tragedy. Within hours, 14 newborn infants were dead, and anguished parents were demanding answers. The fire broke out around 6:00 a.m. local time on August 26, 2026, at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in Islamabad. The blaze originated in an air-conditioning unit on the third floor of the mother and child unit, but officials have since confirmed it was exacerbated by nearby oxygen cylinders, which caused rapid and ferocious spread of the flames. The victims were infants just days or hours old, many in incubators or reliant on oxygen support. Only one of the 15 babies in the ward survived and was transferred to intensive care.

Hivsa Walid was at the hospital with her sister-in-law, who had given birth just days earlier. She initially heard a shout and thought a patient had died — but then she saw smoke. “We didn’t even think about our belongings. We just grabbed the baby and rushed downstairs. Some patients had delivered their babies just that night. I don’t even know how we managed to get down — it was all a blur.” Abdul Ghafoor, another witness, described the desperate scenes outside the building. He tried to enter to rescue patients but could not reach the maternity ward. “There was thick black smoke inside and patients were trapped. Rescue teams arrived after almost two hours.” He added that bystanders had to “break the door down” and rescue teams were forced to smash windows to control the flames.

Perhaps the most devastating accusation to emerge from the tragedy is the claim that the ward’s door was locked at the time of the fire. Jaweria, a mother who lost her baby in the blaze, told AFP news agency: “For two hours I kept crying and wailing. Police arrived after four hours and said they are here to investigate. To hell with you, rescue team and police. Babies burnt to death there, but nobody could save them.” Khurram Mehmood, 40, who lost his three-day-old daughter, also expressed fury at the delayed response: “The fire erupted at 6:00 am, rescue and authorities reached at 9:00 am, people were helping themselves… I lost my daughter. She was only three days old.”

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Rana Imran Sikander, the hospital’s executive director, has strongly contested the locked-door claims. He told the BBC that the ward’s door was not locked but was manned, citing the need to protect babies from being stolen — a concern that has arisen previously at government hospitals. However, the father of another baby who died told Reuters that the building had serious structural flaws: “No fire security, no proper exits. All doors were closed, only one door was for us to visit our children. They kept the other doors locked because they feared we would come to see our children too often.” Walid, who escaped with her sister-in-law’s baby, also suggested that safety protocols at PIMS were inadequate: “There should have been fire extinguishers and protocols, but no one was doing anything — everyone was just running.”

The tragedy has prompted swift action from Pakistan’s highest authorities. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed “deep sorrow and heartfelt regret” over the loss of life, calling it “irreparable” and “heartbreaking”. He ordered an immediate investigation and subsequently suspended Federal Health Secretary Aslam Ghauri, one of the country’s top health officials. President Asif Ali Zardari also released a statement, describing the deaths as “heartbreaking” and an “irreparable loss”.

A formal inquiry committee has been constituted to investigate the tragedy. According to a notification from the Prime Minister’s Office, committee members include Shahid Khan (retired Federal Secretary) as Chairperson, along with Major General (retd) Dr. Khursheed Uttra, Dr. Barrister Nabeel Ahmed Awan, and the Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad. The committee has been given strict deadlines: it must submit an interim report within 48 hours and a comprehensive report with recommendations within five days. Its terms of reference include determining the exact cause of the fire, reviewing the hospital’s emergency response, assessing fire safety infrastructure at PIMS, identifying individuals responsible for negligence, and recommending measures to prevent future tragedies.

The PIMS tragedy is not an isolated incident. Pakistan has witnessed several major fires in recent years, with poor safety laws, inadequate building codes, and lax enforcement often blamed for high death tolls. In January 2026, a fire at a Karachi shopping mall killed dozens. Survivors of that blaze also reported that locked exits contributed to the fatalities — a chilling parallel to the current tragedy.

The fallout from the PIMS fire has already prompted broader safety reviews across the country. The Punjab Healthcare Commission has issued urgent directives for the effective implementation of fire safety measures in hospitals across Punjab province. It has called for regular emergency drills, functional firefighting equipment, and trained personnel at all healthcare facilities. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has ordered a 24-hour safety audit of all public hospitals in the province. Instructions have been given to check fire safety systems, emergency exits, firefighting equipment, and staff preparedness.

The 14 infants who perished in the fire were among Pakistan’s most vulnerable citizens — newborns who had just entered the world and were receiving medical care for their earliest days of life. Their names have not been publicly released, but their grieving families have spoken of babies who were only days or hours old. One father, still in shock, told reporters: “She was only three days old. We brought her here for care. We never imagined we would be taking her home in a coffin.”

The 48-hour interim report from the inquiry committee is expected to provide preliminary findings on the cause of the fire and the immediate circumstances surrounding it. The final report, due within five days, will offer a fuller picture and recommendations. For the families of the victims, however, no report can bring back their children. Their grief is compounded by anger — at the delay in rescue, at the alleged locked door, and at a system they believe failed the most innocent lives. The Pakistani government is now under immense pressure to ensure accountability and to implement lasting safety reforms across the country’s healthcare infrastructure.

‘Give Me My Child Back’: Grief, Fury After Pakistan Hospital Fire Kills 14 Newborns

Nepal-Tibet flash floods kill at least 168, more than 1,300 missing

At least 168 people have been killed and more than 1,300 others are missing after a devastating glacial collapse triggered flash floods and mudslides along the Nepal-Tibet border, destroying communities, roads and other infrastructure across the Himalayan region.

The disaster struck on Wednesday after a section of a Himalayan glacier collapsed into a river, sending a powerful surge of water, mud, rocks and debris downstream. The resulting floods swept through settlements in Nepal and parts of China’s Tibet region, leaving a trail of destruction and cutting off affected communities. (AP News)

The death toll has continued to rise as rescue teams reach areas that were initially inaccessible. The Associated Press reported at least 168 deaths, while Reuters reported that nearly 1,500 people were missing across Nepal and Tibet at an earlier stage of the rescue operation. The figures remain fluid as authorities continue to verify reports and search for survivors. (AP News)

Some of the worst destruction occurred in Rasuwa district in Nepal, close to the Chinese border. Fast-moving floodwaters and debris swept through settlements, damaged homes and businesses and destroyed vital transport links.

The flood also affected the Gyirong area of Tibet, an important border region connecting China and Nepal. Chinese authorities reported that 558 people were missing in Tibet, including 260 foreign nationals. Three deaths had also been confirmed on the Chinese side. (Reuters)

The scale of the disaster has raised particular concern over the large number of foreign tourists, pilgrims and workers caught in the affected areas.

Reuters reported that more than 700 foreigners were among those initially reported missing across Nepal and Tibet. People from several countries, including India, the United States, Ukraine, Australia, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Canada and South Korea, have been reported missing or affected. (Reuters)

Nine South Korean workers employed at a hydropower project near the Nepal-Tibet border were among those reported missing, while 10 other South Korean workers were stranded in the affected area awaiting evacuation. (Reuters)

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The disaster has also severely damaged transportation infrastructure. Floodwaters and mudslides destroyed or damaged roads and bridges, making it difficult for emergency teams to reach some of the worst-hit communities.

Rescue operations have therefore relied heavily on helicopters, while security personnel and emergency responders have been deployed to search through mud, rocks and debris.

Reuters reported that more than 5,000 personnel had been deployed in the rescue effort, with at least 125 people rescued during the early phase of the operation. However, difficult terrain, damaged infrastructure, heavy sediment and continuing risks have slowed the response. (Reuters)

Authorities are also monitoring the possibility of additional flooding. On the Tibetan side, officials are watching a debris-dammed lake that could pose another threat if water is suddenly released downstream.

Chinese authorities have increased monitoring of the affected rivers and surrounding areas and deployed additional rescue and emergency personnel to support relief operations. (Reuters)

The cause of the disaster was initially unclear, with seismic activity reportedly contributing to early confusion over whether an earthquake had triggered the destruction. Subsequent assessments, however, identified the event as a glacial collapse and debris flow, rather than a conventional earthquake. (Reuters)

The incident has renewed concerns about the vulnerability of communities in the Himalayas, where rising temperatures, retreating glaciers and unstable mountain terrain are increasing the risks associated with floods, landslides and other natural hazards.

Experts have linked the broader increase in Himalayan disasters to a combination of climate change, rapid glacier melt and development in vulnerable mountain areas, although scientists caution that establishing the precise role of climate change in an individual glacier collapse requires further investigation. (Reuters)

The latest disaster also comes after other serious glacial floods and landslides in the Himalayan region, including previous incidents in Nepal, India and Tibet that have killed or displaced large numbers of people.

Authorities in Nepal and China are continuing search-and-rescue operations while working to restore access to isolated communities and provide emergency assistance to displaced residents.

With more than 1,300 people still unaccounted for and many affected areas yet to be fully reached, officials have warned that the death toll could rise as rescue workers recover more bodies and establish the whereabouts of missing people.

The disaster has left thousands of residents, tourists, pilgrims and workers facing an uncertain situation as authorities race against time to locate survivors and prevent further loss of life.

Nepal-Tibet flash floods kill at least 168, more than 1,300 missing

North Korea Threatens ‘Serious, Immediate and Powerful’ Action Over US Arms Deal with South Korea

Pyongyang has condemned Washington’s approval of a $125 million tactical missile sale to Seoul and its decision to fund human rights monitoring inside the North, describing both moves as hostile acts that threaten regional stability. North Korea’s Foreign Ministry issued a blistering statement on Thursday, vowing a “serious, immediate and powerful response” to what it called the “persistence and sequence” of US hostile policies. The condemnation came in response to two separate US initiatives: the approved sale of advanced air-to-air missiles to South Korea, and a new State Department funding programme aimed at documenting human rights abuses inside the isolated state.

The US Department of State announced on Friday that it had cleared the possible sale of AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II missiles and associated equipment to South Korea, with an estimated total value of $125 million. The package includes 103 AIM-9X Sidewinder tactical missiles and ten tactical guidance units, along with supporting technical and logistical services. The principal contractor for the deal is RTX Corporation, and US officials have stated that the sale is intended to enhance South Korea’s air defence capabilities and improve interoperability with US Forces Korea. US officials emphasised that the transaction would not fundamentally alter the military balance in the region, describing it as a routine measure to support a key ally. However, this marks the second major US arms approval for Seoul this year. In June 2026, Washington had already greenlit the sale of 70 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM medium-range air-to-air missiles to South Korea.

Pyongyang’s anger was not limited to the missile deal. The North Korean Foreign Ministry also strongly criticised a separate US initiative: a State Department funding programme aimed at supporting human rights documentation and information flow into the country. The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor at the State Department announced in August 2026 an open competition for organisations to document rights abuses inside North Korea. The stated goal is to “challenge the DPRK’s information monopoly” — a direct reference to Pyongyang’s tight control over media and communication. Total available funding for the programme is approximately $2.96 million, with the State Department anticipating awarding two to three cooperative agreements. Applicants must demonstrate capacity to securely collect, document, and verify real-time human rights information, and proposals must include significant consultation with North Korean defector and escapee communities. Selected organisations will also conduct international campaigns to counter DPRK propaganda and empower defectors to share documented realities on digital platforms. For Pyongyang, this programme represents more than just a diplomatic irritant — it is viewed as a direct attempt to undermine the social system of the state and destabilise internal cohesion.

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In a statement carried by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) , a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that the North “cannot overlook the adverse effect of the US sale of its weapons to the ROK on the regional security environment”. The spokesperson went on to denounce “the persistence and sequence of the US hostile moves” , calling the latest measures security threats that seek to “create instability in the social system of our state” . The statement concluded with a firm warning that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea “will make a serious, immediate and powerful response to the hostile acts”.

The latest developments come at a particularly delicate moment on the Korean Peninsula. On one hand, US President Donald Trump has recently made a series of overtures to Pyongyang. He ordered the shortening of the joint US-South Korea military exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield from 11 days to just 5 — a move that was seen as a goodwill gesture. Trump also expressed interest in holding another summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and on 17 August stated that Kim had responded to his outreach, describing their interaction as “very positive” . On the other hand, Pyongyang has shown little official willingness to resume dialogue. Kim Yo Jong , the leader’s influential sister and senior ruling party official, dismissed the scaled-back military drills as insufficient, arguing that their continuation remained aggressive and that US policy towards North Korea was still fundamentally hostile. She also denied that Trump and Kim had had any direct contact, despite praising their “excellent personal relationship” . Adding to the tension, North Korea launched approximately 10 ballistic missiles off its east coast earlier this month — an act widely interpreted by analysts as a protest against the ongoing US-South Korea exercises.

It is important to remember that the two Koreas remain technically at war. The 1950-53 Korean War, which was triggered by a North Korean invasion of the South, ended with an armistice rather than a peace treaty. This means that while active large-scale combat has ceased, no formal peace has ever been declared. Against this backdrop, any military build-up — however routine it may appear to Washington and Seoul — is viewed with deep suspicion and alarm in Pyongyang. The combination of advanced US weaponry for South Korea and active efforts to promote human rights and information access inside the North appears to have crossed a red line for the regime.

While North Korea has not specified the form its “powerful response” will take, past patterns suggest several possibilities. These include missile or artillery tests, including possible launches over or near South Korean waters; cyberattacks against South Korean or US government and corporate networks; rhetorical escalation, including threats to cancel any potential future dialogue; and military posturing, such as troop movements or displays of new weaponry. The international community, particularly South Korea, Japan, and the United States, will be watching closely for any signs of imminent provocation. For now, Washington appears to be balancing deterrence with diplomacy — supplying its ally with defensive capabilities while keeping the door open for engagement. Whether Pyongyang will respond to the stick, the carrot, or both, remains to be seen.

North Korea Threatens ‘Serious, Immediate and Powerful’ Action Over US Arms Deal with South Korea