Gas cylinder explosion at wedding house kills eight, including bride and groom

ISLAMABAD: At least eight people, including the bride and groom, were killed and seven others injured when a gas cylinder exploded at a wedding house in Islamabad’s G-7/2 sector late on Saturday night, police said.

According to police, the explosion occurred at a wedding house located in 66 Quarters, Street No. 23. The wedding party had arrived at the house around 2am when the gas cylinder exploded, causing the building to collapse.

Those who lost their lives included the bride, the groom, the groom’s mother, his maternal uncle, paternal aunt and a cousin. Two neighbours were also killed, taking the death toll to eight. Police said several people were trapped under the rubble after the blast.

The explosion severely damaged four houses. The roof of the wedding house was blown off, while the roofs of three neighbouring houses also collapsed, injuring residents inside.

Police said the injured and the bodies were shifted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and CDA Hospital. Hospital sources later confirmed that two injured persons succumbed to their injuries during treatment at CDA Hospital.

Additional Deputy Commissioner General Sahibzada Muhammad Yousaf told media that a call regarding the explosion was received at 7:19am, after which CDA teams and police rushed to the site. He said all access routes were sealed, while officials from the Building Control Department were assessing partially damaged structures.

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CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa visited the site and said the rescue operation was almost complete and that none of the injured was in critical condition. He confirmed the explosion was caused by a gas leak and said one injured person had been shifted to the Burn Centre.

Randhawa said such incidents often occur during winter and urged citizens to avoid using gas at night. He added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had issued instructions, the interior minister had sought a report, and an inquiry had been initiated. He assured that affected families would be assisted.

In a statement, the Capital Development Authority said its emergency services completed the rescue and relief operation, with 45 fire, medical and rescue personnel, 10 ambulances and one rescue vehicle taking part. The CDA chairman and the chief commissioner Islamabad expressed grief over the tragedy.

Inspector General of Police Islamabad Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi visited the injured at PIMS, inquired about their health, and offered condolences to the bereaved families. He also praised Islamabad police for their timely and effective response.

Rescue officials advised citizens to regularly check gas cylinders, pipelines and geysers, ensure safety inspections before sleeping, and avoid lighting flames or operating electrical switches if gas is smelled. They urged people to immediately open doors and windows in case of a gas leak.

At PIMS, Deputy Executive Director (Non-Medical) Dr Aneza Jalil said an emergency had been imposed at the hospital. She said two children were among the injured and that treatment was ongoing in the Orthopaedics, Burn Centre and Neuro Department, with most injuries caused by the roof collapse.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and prayed for the forgiveness of the deceased and the early recovery of the injured. He directed health authorities to provide the best possible medical care and ordered the interior secretary to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident. He also instructed the Islamabad administration to raise public awareness about gas cylinder safety.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also expressed grief and directed authorities to ensure the injured receive the best treatment and that a detailed inquiry be carried out, assuring full support for the affected families.