Two people were killed and two others seriously injured when an ambulance they were in exploded near Meenkunnam at Muvattupuzha on Tuesday night.
The ambulance was carrying an aged patient from Mananthavady to a private hospital in Kottayam. The ambulance driver and a male nurse escaped unhurt.
Around 7.30 p.m., when the ambulance was a kilometre short of Meenkunnam Junction, a loud explosion rang out, setting the vehicle on fire. The 72-year-old patient, James — a resident of Kattachira in Ettumanur — and his daughter Ambily, 46, were killed on the spot.
The injured were identified as Joicy, daughter-in-law of James, and Lakshmi, a home nurse from Kumily. They were rushed to a hospital in Kottayam, the Muvattupuzha police said.
What caused the explosion was not immediately known, police said. “Forensic experts are slated to ascertain the reason after due examination of the charred vehicle,” the police added.
