The death toll from an oxygen cylinder explosion at a Basic Health Unit (BHU) Plus facility in Tharparkar rose to nine after an injured victim died while being taken to Karachi for treatment, rescue officials have said.
The ambulance, operated by the People’s Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI), caught fire while staff were fitting an oxygen cylinder, according to rescue officials. The hospital administration said that a pregnant woman remained inside the ambulance when staff began the process when the cylinder exploded.
Assistant Commissioner (AC) Nagarparkar Erum Karim Narejo said that the ambulance was parked at the health facility when the explosion occurred.
Police stated that the deceased included a PPHI dispenser, the ambulance driver, a watchman and another employee. Rescue officials had earlier reported that the victims also included a pregnant woman and two attendants.
Two midwives and a female attendant at the basic health centre were among the injured, police said.
Rescue teams shifted the injured to Civil Hospital Mithi for treatment. District administration officials, rescue personnel and health department teams also reached the site.
Sindh Home Minister and Law Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar took notice of the incident and sought details from the Tharparkar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and Deputy Commissioner (DC).
Lanjar directed the authorities to provide immediate medical assistance and ensure timely treatment for the injured. The Tharparkar SSP said that the injured received initial treatment before authorities shifted them to Karachi.
Lanjar expressed condolences to the families of those killed in the fire.
