At least 10 people, including a pregnant woman, died after an oxygen cylinder exploded inside an ambulance at a government health facility in Pakistan’s Sindh province, officials said. The blast occurred overnight in the Tharparkar district as medical staff were preparing to transfer patients to another hospital.

The ambulance was stationed at a basic health centre in Nagarparkar when the explosion triggered a fire that quickly engulfed the vehicle. Among those killed were patients, relatives, and health care workers, including the ambulance driver, a watchman, a dispenser affiliated with the People's Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI), and another employee of the health facility, according to District Police Chief Arif Aziz.

Hospital authorities confirmed that a pregnant woman was inside the ambulance at the time the oxygen cylinder was being fitted, and that the explosion occurred during this process. Images shared on social media and local news broadcasts showed the ambulance engulfed in flames, with one of its doors open, followed by pictures of its burnt remains outside the health centre as bystanders gathered nearby.

In addition to the fatalities, several others were injured, including two midwives and a female attendant at the health facility. The injured were initially transported to Civil Hospital Mithi for treatment, with some later transferred to Karachi for advanced medical care.

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari expressed sorrow over the incident and directed authorities to conduct a swift and transparent investigation into the cause of the explosion. He also called for enhanced safety protocols to prevent future accidents and extended condolences to the families of the victims.

While initial statements from provincial officials indicated that the blast was caused by an oxygen cylinder explosion, the exact cause remains under investigation. Authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident to determine if lapses in handling or equipment failure contributed to the tragedy.