A 36-year-old healthcare assistant has died following an explosion in the kitchen premises of the National Nephrology Hospital in Polonnaruwa.
Seven people were initially injured in the blast.
One of the seriously injured workers subsequently died, leaving six surviving injured persons receiving treatment.
The explosion occurred at around 4 a.m. on September 26 and caused extensive damage to the hospital's main kitchen and nearby structures.
Several patients receiving inpatient treatment were transferred to the Polonnaruwa General Hospital following the incident.
Multiple investigations launched
Police have assigned two investigation teams to examine the explosion.
The Government Analyst's Department has also begun an investigation.
The hospital has appointed a five-member internal committee, while the Health Ministry has launched a separate ministry-level investigation.
Cause must not be overstated
A gas leak is suspected in connection with the explosion.
However, the exact technical circumstances should remain subject to the ongoing investigations.
The article must not state as established fact that a particular gas cylinder, pipeline, appliance or individual failure caused the explosion unless investigators formally determine that.
The incident is therefore both a hospital-safety event and an active investigation.