WorldPosted at: Oct 29 2026 5:23PM


Death toll from ambulance oxygen cylinder explosion in Pakistan's Sindh province rises to nine

Hyderabad, Oct 29 (UNI) The death toll from an ambulance fire triggered by an oxygen cylinder explosion at a hospital in Pakistan's Tharparkar district rose to nine on Thursday, with authorities ordering an investigation into the incident.
Mithi Deputy Commissioner Hameed Jagirani said the explosion occurred on Wednesday night at a hospital run by the Peoples Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI) in Dano Dhandhal, within Nagarparkar taluka.
The ambulance was being prepared to transfer a woman to the District Headquarters Hospital in Mithi after she developed post-surgical complications following childbirth at a basic health unit. She had delivered a baby boy and was being moved for further treatment when the oxygen cylinder exploded.
Jagirani said the blast occurred while the cylinder was being handled for the patient. PPHI district manager Ibrahim Kumbhar said some of those killed were staff members at the health facility.
The death toll was initially reported at seven on Wednesday night, with five people sustaining burn injuries.
President Asif Ali Zardari ordered a transparent inquiry to establish the cause of the fire and directed authorities to strengthen safety measures to prevent similar incidents, and expressed grief over the loss of life, offering condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery, according to a statement from the Presidency.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah announced compensation of PKR 2 million for each of the nine families who lost relatives. He also directed officials to ensure the injured received the best possible medical care and ordered an investigation into the incident.
Murad Ali Shah instructed Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MPA Qasim Soomro to travel to Nagarparkar to oversee relief efforts.
PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also called for a thorough and transparent investigation, expressing solidarity with the victims' families and wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
He said those responsible should face the strictest punishment if the incident was found to have resulted from negligence or a criminal act. Bilawal also called for existing safety arrangements in Tharparkar to be reviewed and effective measures introduced to prevent similar tragedies.
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Tags: #Death toll from ambulance oxygen cylinder explosion in Pakistan's Sindh province rises to nine
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