Couple Killed by Gas Explosion One Day After Wedding in Pakistan

Couple Killed in Gas Explosion

A newly married couple was killed when a gas cylinder exploded in a house in Islamabad, where they were sleeping after their wedding celebration, police reported. Six other individuals, including guests and family members, also perished, while more than a dozen were injured in the blast.

The explosion occurred at 7:00 AM local time on Sunday (02:00 GMT), causing the roof to collapse. Parts of the walls were destroyed, leaving piles of bricks, large concrete slabs, and furniture scattered across the floor. Those injured were trapped under the debris and were rescued on stretchers by emergency teams.

According to emergency workers, the explosion was caused by a gas leak that filled the room before detonating. Three neighboring houses were also damaged. Pakistan's Senate President, Yusuf Raza Gilani, called the incident “a devastating event that turned celebrations into mourning.”

Hanif Masih, the groom's father, stated that his son had married just a day prior, and the couple, along with family members and guests, were asleep in the house at the time of the explosion. Masih mentioned that everyone had gone to bed around 3:00 AM and woke up amid the devastation. In addition to his son, his former wife, the bride, and a sister-in-law were also killed.

The police have cordoned off the area and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the explosion. Crime scene officers were dispatched to sift through the rubble. Deputy Police Commissioner Sahibzada Yousaf stated that police dogs and advanced technology were deployed to ensure that everyone was rescued from the ruins.

In many households in Pakistan, liquefied gas cylinders are used for fuel and cooking. Gas cylinders have been implicated in other fatal accidents caused by leaks. Gilani expressed concern over the explosion, stating that additional measures are needed to curb the “unsafe use of gas cylinders.” “Such incidents demand that the relevant departments seriously fulfill their responsibilities and ensure safety measures,” he said in a statement to local press.