KARACHI: The Sindh government has rejected an inquiry report into the ambulance explosion and fire in Tharparkar after Chief Secretary Sindh expressed dissatisfaction with the findings, ARY News reported.
According to sources, the chief secretary returned the report prepared by a committee headed by the Director General (DG) Health and directed the formation of a new three-member inquiry committee under the supervision of the Mirpurkhas commissioner.
The newly formed committee has been directed to examine all aspects of the incident and submit a detailed report within 72 hours. It has also been tasked with determining the actual cause of the explosion and identifying the roles and responsibilities of the relevant departments and officials.
“I had received the report and directed the Mirpurkhas commissioner to conduct a fresh inquiry,” the chief secretary said.
Meanwhile, the final cause of the explosion in the Tharparkar ambulance has yet to be established, with authorities awaiting the forensic report.
According to the initial inquiry report, the explosion occurred while an empty oxygen cylinder was being replaced in the ambulance. Possible causes included a fault in the oxygen cylinder, valve or regulator, or improper installation of the cylinder.
The report stated that a spanner was used to open the oxygen flow meter. It also revealed that the ambulance engine was running when the oxygen cylinder was being replaced.
A witness, Samina, told the inquiry committee that the ambulance engine was running during the cylinder replacement. Other eyewitnesses also confirmed that the explosion occurred during or immediately after the replacement process.
The inquiry further revealed that the ambulance had an adequate quantity of petrol at the time of the incident. According to the report, the vehicle was refuelled with 233 litres of petrol at a petrol pump in Islamkot during October, with its last refuelling recorded on October 28.
The investigation found no evidence that the cylinder involved in the explosion contained LPG or CNG. The cylinder present in the ambulance was also found to be in proper condition during the inquiry team’s inspection.
The report also pointed out serious shortcomings in fire safety arrangements at the Dhano Dhandal hospital. A fire extinguisher was kept in the hospital’s storeroom instead of being used during the emergency.
The inquiry committee observed that the fire could have been brought under control if the fire extinguisher had been installed outside and made readily accessible.
It also revealed that oxygen cylinders for hospitals in Thar were being purchased from an unlicensed shopkeeper. The People’s Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI) was procuring oxygen cylinders from a vendor who did not have a sales licence or certification.
The report further stated that the deceased ambulance driver, Pandi, and watchman, Ishaq, were smokers. However, investigators found no evidence that either of them was smoking at the time of the incident.
The inquiry committee visited the incident site on October 30, recorded statements of the staff and examined the available records.
According to the report, the exact cause of the explosion and the determination of responsibility will only be possible after the forensic and technical reports are received.
