ISLAMABAD: A tragic gas cylinder explosion during a wedding gathering in Islamabad’s G-7/2 sector claimed the lives of at least eight people, including a newly married couple, and left 12 others injured on Sunday, officials confirmed.
The blast occurred inside a residential house while wedding guests were present, causing severe destruction to the building and damaging four nearby homes. Additional Deputy Commissioner General Sahibzada Yousaf stated that rescue teams recovered all individuals trapped beneath the debris and confirmed that no one remained missing.
Emergency responders pulled around 20 people from the rubble. Eight of them later succumbed to their injuries, while the remaining victims were shifted in critical condition to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), where an emergency was imposed to provide immediate treatment. A total of 15 residents were evacuated from surrounding houses as a precaution.
According to authorities, the explosion was triggered by accumulated gas inside the house. Preliminary findings revealed that a gas heater had been left on overnight due to cold weather and wedding activities. When gas supply was suspended during load shedding, the heater shut off. Later, when gas pressure was restored, leaked gas filled the house due to poor ventilation and congested surroundings. The explosion occurred early in the morning when a matchstick was struck while preparing breakfast.
The deceased included the groom, Sherry, an employee of the Capital Development Authority (CDA), his bride, and six close family members. The wedding procession had returned from Gujrat late the previous night, around 1:30 a.m.
Islamabad Police confirmed that Deputy Inspector General Muhammad Jawad Tariq personally oversaw rescue efforts at the scene, accompanied by senior officers and emergency personnel. Sniffer dogs and advanced search equipment were used to ensure no victims were left behind. The Capital Emergency Service has completed its initial investigation, while further inquiries are ongoing.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the incident, offering condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the deceased. He directed health authorities to provide the best possible care to the injured and ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also conveyed his sympathies and instructed officials to ensure optimal medical treatment for the victims.
Authorities have emphasized the need for improved safety measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
