14 babies die in Pakistan hospital fire

A fire erupts at a nursery for newborns at a major government hospital in Pakistan's capital, killing 14 babies.

The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad housed at least 15 newborns in the nursery when the fire broke out, hospital officials say. At least one baby was rescued, while Federal Health Ministry confirms 14 have died.

The fire broke early morning when an air-conditioning unit compressor exploded inside the nursery in the gynaecology ward.

Officials are in contact with the families, with the immediate priority now to support the parents and return the infants' bodies to them. The deaths of the children sent a wave of shock and grief across the country.