A tragic gas explosion following a wedding reception in Islamabad has resulted in the deaths of at least eight individuals, including the newlywed couple. The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning when guests gathered at a residential home, with local authorities attributing the blast to a suspected gas leak.
According to reports from police and Pakistani news outlet Geo News, the explosion not only claimed the lives of the bride, groom, and several family members but also resulted in the deaths of two neighboring residents. Sahibzada Yousaf, a government administrator, confirmed that authorities received notifications about the explosion early that day. He indicated that police investigations are ongoing to ascertain whether the explosion was due to a faulty gas cylinder or a leak.
The explosion also led to damage in nearby homes, prompting authorities to close certain routes in the area to facilitate emergency response efforts. Yousaf affirmed that a thorough investigation is underway to determine the precise cause of the incident.
In light of the disaster, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended his condolences to the victims’ families and expressed profound sorrow for the loss of life. He has directed health services to provide the best care for the injured and insisted on a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the explosion.
This incident underscores the dangers associated with the use of gas cylinders in Pakistan, where many households rely on them due to inadequate natural gas supply in piped systems. Such tragic events highlight the critical need for enhanced safety measures and regulations in the handling of gas systems to prevent future tragedies.