Two more children die in Sahiwal hospital fire tragedy

Total number of deceased children now stands at seven

SAHIWAL:

 

The fire that engulfed the Children's Ward of Government Teaching Hospital has now claimed the lives of two additional children, bringing the total number of deceased to seven.

The situation remains critical for many other children who are still battling for their lives, and there are fears that the death toll may rise further.

The fire, sparked by a short circuit caused by faulty wiring, led to severe injuries among several children due to smoke inhalation and oxygen deprivation.

At the time of the incident, the ward housed 75 children undergoing treatment.

Initial investigations reveal that the fire originated from an old air conditioner unit, triggering panic and chaos among the young patients.

More than 10 children suffered due to a shortage of oxygen supply during the chaotic evacuation process.

Despite the gravity of the situation, it's been 72 hours since the incident, yet no one has been held accountable.

Notably, neither any relevant minister nor the health secretary has visited the site to assess the situation and provide support.

Among the victims were the children of Asim, a resident of Kamalia, and Suria, a resident of Chak 63-5 L, whose lives were tragically cut short in this horrifying incident.

Despite the passage of time, there seems to be a lack of urgency from the authorities.

The hospital administration has seemingly disregarded the directives issued by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

In the aftermath of
this tragedy, repair works are underway in the Children's Ward, with new paint and beds being installed.

However, the grieving families of the victims are demanding transparent investigations and swift action against those responsible from the CM.