Pakistan hospital explosion kills 10 during patient transfer

Ten people died when an oxygen cylinder exploded inside an ambulance parked at a government-run medical center in southern Pakistan. The incident occurred during the night in Tharparkar district, Sindh province, according to district police chief Arif Aziz.

Aziz stated that the victims included hospital staff, patients, and their family members. Local police official Khalil Abro said medical workers were moving patients to another facility when the cylinder burst. Social media and television footage showed flames engulfing the vehicle with one door open. Another image captured the charred frame of the ambulance outside the building as bystanders gathered nearby.

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed grief over the deaths in a statement from his office. He requested a rapid and transparent investigation to identify the cause of the explosion. Zardari also urged authorities to strengthen safety protocols to prevent similar incidents and offered condolences to the families of the deceased.

The accident recalls a previous tragedy in August of this year. An air conditioning unit exploded in a neonatal unit at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad, killing 14 newborns. One infant who survived the initial blast died weeks later, bringing that total to 15 deaths.

The Tharparkar incident highlights ongoing concerns about equipment safety in public healthcare facilities. Hospital officials confirmed the ambulance was stationary when the cylinder failed. No further injuries were reported in the initial police count.