A private ambulance exploded on the premises of Udala Sub-Divisional Hospital in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district on Thursday evening after an oxygen cylinder caught fire and blasted while a critically ill patient was being prepared for transfer, killing the patient and critically injuring two others.
The deceased has been identified as Suyosh Barik of Kundabai under Udala police station limits. Family members had arranged a private ambulance to shift him from Udala Medical to a private hospital in Bhubaneswar for advanced treatment. Shortly after he was placed inside the vehicle and oxygen supply was being connected, flames suddenly erupted from the cylinder. Moments later the oxygen tank exploded with force.
Locals who were present managed to pull Barik out of the burning ambulance. He had suffered burns and died shortly afterward. As the vehicle continued to burn, a second powerful blast tore off the ambulance roof, which flew and landed on other people nearby, leaving two of them critically injured.
Firefighters reached the spot after receiving information and brought the blaze under control. The incident triggered panic among patients, attendants and staff at the hospital.
