HYDERABAD: The death toll from an ambulance fire in Sindh’s Tharparkar rose to nine on Thursday, according to Mithi Deputy Commissioner Hameed Jagirani.

The incident occurred on Wednesday night when an oxygen cylinder exploded in an ambulance at a Peoples Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI)-run hospital in the Dano Dhandhal area of Nagarparkar taluka.

Jagirani said the blast occurred in an oxygen cylinder while it was being managed for a female patient in the ambulance.

The woman had given birth to a baby boy at a basic health unit and was being shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Mithi due to post-surgical complications when the incident occurred.

PPHI District Manager Ibrahim Kumbhar said the deceased also included some staff members of the health facility.

President Asif Ali Zardari has ordered a transparent inquiry to determine the cause of the fire.

A statement issued by the Presidency said he had also directed the authorities to strengthen safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

The president expressed grief over the loss of life and extended his condolences to the bereaved families, while wishing the injured a speedy recovery, the statement added.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday announced compensation of Rs2 million each for the families of the nine people killed in the incident.

CM Murad also directed the authorities to ensure that the injured were provided with the best possible medical facilities.

He also ordered a transparent inquiry into the incident and directed PPP MPA Qasim Soomro to travel to Nagarparkar to oversee relief efforts.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also took notice of the incident and called for a thorough and transparent investigation to establish the facts.

Describing the loss of life as deeply distressing, he expressed solidarity with the bereaved families and prayed for the early recovery of the injured.

The PPP chairman said those responsible should face the strictest punishment if the incident was found to have resulted from human negligence or a criminal act.

He also called for a review of existing arrangements and the adoption of effective measures to prevent similar incidents in Tharparkar.

The explosion occurred while an ambulance was being prepared to transfer patients to another hospital. An oxygen cylinder was being connected when it exploded.

The death toll was reported at seven on Wednesday night, while five people sustained burn injuries.