Four injured as air compressor bursts at Sibi workshop

Officials say incident caused by technical fault, lack of safety measures, which is commonly seen at such shops

Four people, including an 11-year-old boy, were injured on Sunday when an air compressor exploded at a puncture shop near Kalma Chowk in Sibi, officials said.

Officials said the compressor burst due to excessive pressure at the shop on Residency Road, sending metal parts across a wide area and damaging nearby shops and vehicles, triggering panic in the neighbourhood.

The injured were identified as shop owner Inayatullah Gashkori, his associate Safar Gashkori, Muhammad Ashraf Achakzai, and 11-year-old Muawiya Achakzai. Officials said all four are residents of Quetta who had stopped at the shop to repair a punctured tyre while returning from a religious gathering.

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Rescue teams shifted the injured to Civil Hospital Sibi, where Medical Superintendent Dr Jahanzeb Baloch told Express News that all four were provided first aid and were in stable condition. He said treatment was ongoing and they were expected to be discharged soon.

Officials said preliminary investigations suggested the explosion was caused by a technical fault and inadequate safety measures. An inquiry has been initiated, and the shop owner is being questioned to help prevent similar incidents. Local residents have also called for stricter enforcement of safety standards at puncture shops and workshops.

The explosion initially raised concerns due to the prevailing law and order situation in Sibi. However, officials later confirmed that the incident was a technical accident, and residents expressed relief that no lives were lost