A 35-year-old patient died after an oxygen cylinder reportedly exploded inside a private ambulance in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district
An alleged oxygen cylinder explosion inside a private ambulance outside Udala Sub-Divisional Hospital in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district killed 35-year-old Suyash Kumar Barik on Thursday evening. Two people sustained burn injuries while attempting to rescue him. Police have registered a case and launched an investigation.
Mayurbhanj: A 35-year-old man died and two people sustained burn injuries after an oxygen cylinder reportedly exploded inside a private ambulance outside Udala Sub-Divisional Hospital in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district on Thursday evening. The patient was being transported to Bhubaneswar for further treatment when the incident occurred.
The deceased was identified as Suyash Kumar Barik, a resident of Kundabai village. According to police, he was suffering from a severe blood infection and was being taken to a hospital in Bhubaneswar when the ambulance caught fire.
Oxygen Cylinder Blast Reportedly Occurred During Oxygen Supply
According to preliminary police information, the explosion reportedly occurred when the ambulance driver opened the cylinder valve to provide oxygen to the patient. The vehicle caught fire following the blast, and flames spread rapidly.
People at the scene attempted to pull the patient out of the burning ambulance. However, two people sustained burn injuries during the rescue attempt, and Barik could not be saved. The incident triggered panic outside the hospital.
Firefighters Control Ambulance Blaze
Fire and emergency personnel rushed to the spot after receiving information about the incident and brought the blaze under control. The two injured individuals were admitted to a hospital for treatment. Details about their health conditions were not immediately available.
Exact Cause Of Oxygen Cylinder Explosion Remains Unknown
Banmali Barik, Inspector of Udala Police Station, said the patient died in the fire following the reported cylinder explosion, while two people who attempted to rescue him were injured.
The exact cause of the explosion has not yet been established. Investigators will need to examine the cylinder, its valve mechanism, the oxygen supply system and other equipment inside the ambulance to determine what led to the incident.
Police Investigate Private Ambulance Operator
Police said the ambulance had been hired from a private operator. A case has been registered, and investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the fire and the factors that may have caused the reported explosion.
The incident has highlighted the importance of oxygen cylinder safety and regular equipment maintenance in ambulances transporting critically ill patients. Emergency arrangements are also essential to help evacuate patients quickly if a vehicle catches fire.
How Oxygen Cylinders Can Pose Safety Risks?
Oxygen itself is not a fuel, but it supports combustion and can cause fires to burn more intensely and spread rapidly. Damaged cylinders, excessive pressure, or a faulty valve can create serious hazards.
An oxygen leak can also make nearby combustible materials ignite more easily and burn more intensely. However, the precise mechanism behind the Mayurbhanj incident remains unconfirmed.
A technical examination will be necessary to determine whether the cylinder exploded or was damaged by the fire and pressure effects. The investigation is expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding the patient’s death and the injuries sustained by the two rescuers.
