A powerful gas cylinder explosion in Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital, on Sunday early morning has claimed the lives of at least eight people, including a newlywed bride and groom, and injured several others. The blast occurred inside a residential house in the G-7/2 sector shortly after a wedding reception, when many guests were asleep inside.
The force of the explosion was so strong that it caused part of the building to collapse and damaged nearby homes in the neighbourhood. Emergency responders, including police and rescue teams, rushed to the scene and evacuated the injured to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Officials have launched a formal investigation into the cause of the blast, which preliminary reports suggest may have resulted from a gas leak in a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder a common energy source in many Pakistani households due to intermittent natural gas supply. Authorities urged the public to exercise caution with gas cylinder use and safety checks to prevent future tragedies.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his condolences and directed health authorities to ensure the best care for the injured while calling for a thorough inquiry into the incident.
