Authorities say the incident was caused by technical failures and lack of security measures, which is common in these types of stores.
Four people, including an 11-year-old boy, were injured on Sunday when an air compressor exploded at a puncture shop near Kalma Chowk in Sibi, officials said.
Authorities said the compressor exploded due to excessive pressure at the Residency Road shop, sending metal pieces across a wide area and damaging nearby shops and vehicles, causing panic in the neighborhood.
The injured were identified as merchant Inayatullah Gashkori, his partner Safar Gashkori, Muhammad Ashraf Achakzai and 11-year-old Muawiya Achakzai. Authorities said the four are residents of Quetta who stopped at the shop to repair a flat tire while returning from a religious gathering.
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Rescuers shifted the injured to Sibi Civil Hospital, where Medical Superintendent Dr. Jahanzeb Baloch reported. Express News that all four received first aid and were in stable condition. He said treatment was ongoing and they were expected to be discharged soon.
Authorities said preliminary investigations suggested the explosion was caused by a technical fault and inadequate safety measures. An investigation has been launched and the store owner is being questioned to help prevent similar incidents. Local residents have also called for safety regulations to be more strictly enforced in workshops and lancing workshops.
The explosion initially raised concerns due to the prevailing law and order situation in Sibi. However, authorities later confirmed that the incident was a technical accident and residents expressed relief that no lives were lost.
