Bride, groom among eight killed in cylinder blast at wedding house in Islamabad

• Cylinder explosion collapses house in G-7/2, say police.
• Four houses affected; three neighbouring roofs collapsed.
• Bomb disposal squad reviews circumstances as rescue continues.
  

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

Police said the incident occurred at a wedding house situated in 66 Quarters, Street No. 23.  They said that the wedding party reached the house 2am, after which the cylinder explosion occurred, and that the bride, the groom, the groom’s mother, maternal uncle, paternal aunt and a cousin died in the incident. 

Police said two neighbours also died, taking the death toll to eight.

Police said the building collapsed due to the explosion, trapping people beneath the rubble. They said four houses were affected, with the roof of the wedding house blowing off and the roofs of three neighbouring houses also collapsing, injuring people inside.

Police said the injured and the bodies were shifted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and CDA Hospital.

Additional Deputy Commissioner General Sahibzada Muhammad Yousaf, speaking to the media, said a call was received regarding the explosion at 7:19am and that CDA teams, along with the police, reached the spot immediately. 

He added that all routes have been completely closed with the help of police, staff of the Building Control Department have also been called to the scene, and the process of checking buildings that have been partially affected is underway.

CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa reached the site and said the rescue operation was almost complete and that none of the injured was in danger. 

Randhawa said the explosion occurred due to a gas leak and that one injured person had been shifted to the Burn Centre. He said the affected families would be assisted.

Randhawa said such incidents occur in winter and urged citizens not to use gas at night. He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had issued instructions and that the Interior Minister had sought a report, adding that an inquiry had been initiated and the administration’s focus remained on rescue and relief.

The CDA said its Capital Emergency Services completed the relief and rescue operation. It added that 45 fire, medical and rescue personnel took part, along with 10 ambulances and one rescue vehicle.

The CDA chairman and the chief commissioner Islamabad expressed grief and sorrow over the incident.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi visited the injured at Pims and inquired about their health.

The IG offered condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for strength and patience for them to endure this irreparable loss.

The top cop also praised the Islamabad police for carrying out a timely and effective rescue operation, saying officers had fulfilled their professional responsibilities with dedication and efficiency in responding to the incident.

Rescue administration officials urged citizens to have gas cylinders, pipelines and geysers safety-checked regularly, to check cylinders and pipelines before sleeping, and to avoid pressing electrical switches or lighting a flame if they smell gas.

They advised opening doors and windows immediately in the event of a gas leak.

At PIMS, Dr Aneza Jalil, Deputy Executive Director (Non-Medical) Departments, said an emergency has been imposed at the hospital. She said that the injured who were brought to PIMS included two children.

She said treatment of the injured is underway in the Orthopaedics, Burn Centre and Neuro Department, and that most of the injuries were caused by the roof collapsing.

Hospital sources said a further two injured people from the cylinder explosion later died while under treatment at CDA Hospital, taking the death toll to eight.

PM orders inquiry

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sorrow over the loss of precious lives and prayed for the early recovery of the injured, while also praying for the forgiveness of the deceased and expressing sympathy with their families. 

The PM directed the health minister, the health secretary and the PIMS administration to remain alert, and ordered that the injured be provided all possible medical assistance and the best facilities until their recovery.

He also directed the interior secretary to carry out a complete investigation into the incident and instructed the Islamabad administration to raise public awareness about safety precautions in the use of cylinders

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the gas cylinder explosion in Islamabad’s G-7/2 sector.

The minister also directed that the injured be provided with the best possible medical treatment and care. He also directed authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.

Naqvi emphasised that the government stands firmly with the victims’ families during this difficult time and will ensure all necessary support is extended to them.