Nine people, including a pregnant woman, have died after an oxygen cylinder exploded in an ambulance parked near a health center in Tharparkar district, in Pakistan's Sindh province. One of the injured died while being transported to Karachi.
According to local media reports, the serious incident took place at the Dano Dhandhal health centre, in Nagarparkar area, where the ambulance, run by the People's Primary Health Initiative (PPHI), caught fire while replacing an oxygen cylinder.
Rescue authorities say the pregnant woman was inside the ambulance when workers were trying to replace the canister. The explosion caused the fire that killed nine people.
The victims include a PPHI medical supplies distributor, the ambulance driver, a security guard and another employee. A pregnant woman and two people accompanying her also lost their lives.
Several people, including two midwives and a health assistant from the basic health care center, were also injured in the blast. After receiving first aid, the injured were transported to Karachi for further treatment.
Authorities demand investigation into the tragedy
The Tharparkar district police chief has instructed the relevant structures to ensure immediate medical assistance and timely treatment to all the injured. In the meantime, the circumstances of the explosion and the safety conditions during the use of oxygen cylinders are expected to be investigated.
The tragedy has brought attention back to the difficulties faced by residents of this area of Sindh, which is characterized by frequent drought and where many families rely on public institutions to receive health services.
The case has also caused concern due to previous problems with medical services in the region. In October 2019, the Mith Civil Hospital was reported to have refused to provide an ambulance to transport the body of a baby, citing a lack of funds for fuel.
Authorities are expected to fully clarify the causes of the explosion and the responsibilities for this tragic event.
