- Oxygen cylinder explodes during replacement, setting ambulance ablaze.
- Four hospital employees, expecting woman, 2 attendants among victims.
- Pregnant patient was still inside ambulance when staff began fitting cylinder.
THARPARKAR: Seven people, including four hospital employees, a pregnant woman and two attendants, were killed when an ambulance caught fire following an explosion while its oxygen cylinder was being fitted at a basic health centre in Tharparkar, rescue officials said.
According to rescue officials, the fire broke out while the ambulance was parked at the health facility. The victims suffered fatal burn injuries.
Hospital administration said the pregnant woman was still inside the ambulance when staff began fitting the oxygen cylinder.
An explosion occurred during the process, triggering the fire, it added.
The deceased included four members of the hospital staff, the pregnant woman and two people accompanying patients, rescue officials said.
Assistant Commissioner officials also reported the explosion, while rescue personnel said the fire spread through the ambulance, killing all seven victims.
The incident has once again drawn attention to safety risks involving oxygen cylinders and emergency medical transport at healthcare facilities.
