Authorities say the incident was caused by a technical fault and a lack of security measures, which is common in such 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.
Officials said the compressor burst due to excessive pressure at the Residency Road store, sending metal parts over a wide area and damaging nearby stores and vehicles, triggering panic in the neighborhood.
The injured were identified as store owner Inayatullah Gashkori, his associate Safar Gashkori, Muhammad Ashraf Achakzai and 11-year-old Muawiya Achakzai. Authorities said all four were Quetta residents who had stopped at the store to repair a flat tire while returning from a religious gathering.
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Rescue teams transferred the injured to Sibi Civil Hospital, where Medical Superintendent Dr Jahanzeb Baloch said Express News that all four had received first aid and were in stable condition. He said treatment was ongoing and they should 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 stricter enforcement of safety standards in puncture shops and workshops.
The explosion initially raised concerns due to the prevailing security situation in Sibi. However, authorities later confirmed it was a technical accident and residents expressed relief that no lives had been lost.
