Islamabad: At least 12 newborns were killed after a fire broke out Wednesday morning in the nursery of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) in the capital Islamabad, local media and officials said.

According to Qatar News Agency, the fire erupted in the hospital's mother and child health ward. Local broadcaster Geo TV reported that the nursery housed 16 newborns at the time, with only one being rescued from the blaze.

Rescue officials indicated that the fire likely started after an air-conditioning compressor exploded inside the nursery. Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control and conducted cooling operations at the site, as reported by local sources.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered an immediate investigation into the incident. He emphasized the need for accountability and called for those responsible to be held accountable, according to his office.