Death toll from Thar ambulance fire rises to nine: district official

Hyderabad received news that the death toll from an ambulance fire in Sindh's Tharparkar had increased to nine on Thursday, as reported by Mithi Deputy Commissioner Hameed Jagirani. The tragic incident took place on Wednesday night at a Peoples Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI) hospital in the Dano Dhandhal area of Nagarparkar taluka. According to Jagirani, the explosion occurred when an oxygen cylinder, used for a female patient with post-surgical complications, suddenly ignited in the ambulance.

PPHI District Manager Ibrahim Kumbhar informed that the deceased also comprised several staff members from the healthcare facility. In response to the incident, President Asif Ali Zardari has ordered a transparent investigation to ascertain the cause of the fire. In a statement issued by the Presidency, the president expressed sorrow over the loss of life and conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a swift recovery.

Prime Minister Zardari also directed the authorities to enhance safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

Furthermore, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah announced a compensation of Rs2 million for each of the nine families affected by the fire. The chief minister instructed authorities to ensure that the injured received the highest quality medical care. Additionally, the chief minister mandated a transparent inquiry into the incident and assigned the task of overseeing relief efforts to PPP MPA Qasim Soomro, who would travel to Nagarparkar.