The death toll from an ambulance fire in Tharparkar, Sindh, has risen to nine. Mithi Deputy Commissioner Hameed Jagirani confirmed the deaths on Thursday.
What happened?
The incident took place on Wednesday night at a hospital run by the Peoples Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI) in Dano Dhandhal, Nagarparkar taluka. An oxygen cylinder exploded inside an ambulance and caused the fire.
Jagirani said the cylinder exploded while staff were handling it for a female patient. The woman had given birth to a baby boy at a basic health unit.
She was being taken to the District Headquarters Hospital in Mithi due to complications after surgery when the incident occurred.
PPHI District Manager Ibrahim Kumbhar said some of those who died were also staff members of the health facility.
What action have the authorities taken?
President Asif Ali Zardari has ordered a transparent investigation into the incident to find out what caused the fire.
According to a statement from the Presidency, he also directed the authorities to improve safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The president expressed sorrow over the loss of life and offered condolences to the families of the deceased. He also wished the injured a speedy recovery.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also took notice of the incident afterwards. He called for a full and transparent investigation to establish the facts.
Bilawal expressed grief over the deaths and showed support for the affected families. He also prayed for the quick recovery of those injured.
He said anyone found responsible should face strict punishment if the investigation showed that the incident was caused by negligence or a criminal act.
The PPP chairman also called for a review of existing safety arrangements and effective steps to prevent similar incidents in Tharparkar.
