A 36-year-old Healthcare Assistant who was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Polonnaruwa General Hospital following this morning’s gas cylinder explosion at the Polonnaruwa Kidney Hospital has succumbed to his injuries, according to the Deputy Director of the Polonnaruwa General Hospital.
The explosion occurred at around 4:00 a.m. today (26) inside the hospital kitchen, injuring seven people who were subsequently admitted to the Polonnaruwa General Hospital. Three individuals who sustained serious injuries were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
It is suspected that the explosion was caused by a gas cylinder following a gas leak in the main kitchen. Investigations are currently underway to determine the exact cause of the incident.
The blast caused extensive structural damage to several nearby buildings. Although hospital operations were initially disrupted, arrangements were made to maintain essential services in a designated section of the facility.
Meanwhile, arrangements have been made to transfer in-house patients receiving treatment at the hospital to the Polonnaruwa General Hospital.
