ISLAMABAD: An explosion at the National University of Modern Languages (NUML) in Islamabad left seven individuals injured, including five students, in an incident attributed to a gas leak, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi announced during a press conference.
According to IGP Rizvi, the blast took place around 4 p.m. inside a room on the NUML campus. The explosion occurred shortly after the university resumed its gas supply for the winter season.
NUML usually turns off its gas system during the summer months, but on Tuesday, the supply was reactivated around 3:30 p.m. Within about thirty minutes, accumulated gas in the room ignited due to an electrical short circuit, resulting in the explosion.
Police confirmed that the affected area included a small prayer room and an administrative office used by clerical staff. Injuries were sustained by five students, a naib qasid, and a clerk. While most of the victims are stable, the clerk suffered burns covering 65% of his body and is currently receiving medical care.
The IGP stated that investigators have examined the scene following all safety protocols and concluded that the incident was caused by gas buildup in an enclosed space, which ignited due to a short circuit.
He instructed the NUML administration to conduct a comprehensive inspection of all gas lines, internal fittings, and the affected room to ensure safety compliance. As a precautionary measure, all gas connections across the campus have been shut off until a thorough technical evaluation is completed.
IGP Rizvi also emphasized that Islamabad Police are working in close coordination with NUML authorities to prevent similar incidents and to safeguard the well-being of students and staff.
