TAXILA: On the directives of the Punjab chief minister, an inquiry committee has been set up to investigate the collapse of two rooms in Asfandyar District Headquarters Hospital Attock and submit its report within 72 hours.

According to Medical Superintendent Dr Sultan Mahmood, the blast was apparently caused by gas leakage.

Punjab Health Secretary Ali Jan Khan and other senior officials visited the site of the blast. Later, talking to newsmen, the secretary said investigations were at the preliminary stage, and at the moment it was not possible to explain what caused the accident.

He said a survey of the building by the infrastructure engineers of the provincial building department would be carried out.

Responding to a question, he said any portion declared dangerous by the building department would not be used for patients. He said compensation would be paid to the heirs of those who died in the incident.

However, he added the amount of the compensation would be announced by the local parliamentarians in the next few days.

Published in Dawn, January 3rd, 2018