QUETTA: The number of injuries from the explosion at a truck terminal in Noshki, Balochistan has risen to 56.
The explosion prompted an immediate emergency response across major hospitals in Quetta, the provincial capital.
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Initial reports indicated that over a dozen people were injured, but as medical teams continued their assessment, the total number of injured increased significantly.
Provincial Minister for Health Balochistan, Bakht Mohammad Kakar, visited the Civil Hospital in Quetta to oversee the treatment of the injured and ensure that ‘optimal’ medical facilities were available.
Kakar confirmed to the media that the injured had been distributed among three major hospitals in Quetta, including the Bolan Medical Complex (BMC) and the Civil Hospital.
“Emergency has been imposed in BMC and Civil Hospital, and medical assistance is being provided to the injured”, he stated.
Following directives from the Chief Minister of Balochistan, Sarfraz Bugti, the health minister stated that all “available resources” were being utilised for the rehabilitation of the injured.
Kakar promised to provide the ‘best’ treatment facilities to those affected. “Most of the patients from the Noshki accident have suffered up to 70 per cent burns”, he informed.
In response to the accident, a helicopter was also dispatched to evacuate the injured, ensuring they received necessary medical attention as quickly as possible.
The explosion occurred during gas welding work on the tanker. Eyewitnesses reported a massive blast that engulfed the area in flames, with videos circulating online showing the tanker exploding and the subsequent carnage.
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The provincial health minister acknowledged a lack of safety precautions and public awareness as cause of the explosion. “The accident is unfortunate; lack of precautions and awareness led to the incident”.
The Baloch government promised to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident to prevent similar incidents in the future.