Ambulance fire death toll rises to 10

Four health centre workers among dead

SINDH:

The death toll from an ambulance explosion at a rural health centre in Dano Dandal village, Nagarparkar tehsil, rose to 10 on Thursday after three more injured people succumbed to their injuries.

According to sources, the deceased included RHC dispensers Jaswant Meghwar and Dino, ambulance driver Pandhi Rajar, and watchman Ishaq Thebo. Others who died in the incident were identified as Lachhman, Pradeep, Lado, Kareeman, Raju and new born girl.

The injured included community midwives Samina Junejo and Noor Jehan. They were taken to hospitals in Mithi and Karachi for treatment.

Samina Junejo, one of the injured midwives, said the woman had delivered a baby normally but developed complications shortly afterwards. The family and healthcare staff decided to transfer her to Mithi.

The explosion occurred while a gas cylinder was being replaced in the ambulance, she said. The exact cause of the blast remains under investigation.

Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah announced compensation of Rs2 million for the family of each person killed in the incident and ordered a transparent inquiry into the tragedy.

He also directed the health department to review safety arrangements at ambulances and healthcare facilities across the province, with particular attention to the handling, replacement and maintenance of oxygen cylinders and other medical equipment.

The department was instructed to introduce effective safety measures in light of the inquiry's findings to prevent similar incidents.