Wedding home turns into mourning site: Cylinder blast kills groom, bride, and 8 others.

In the federal capital’s Sector G-7/2, a wedding celebration turned into mourning when a gas cylinder explosion claimed the lives of eight people, including the bride and groom, and injured 11 others. The sound of the explosion was heard from far away. As a result of the blast, the roofs of three houses collapsed, while cracks appeared in the walls of two adjacent houses.
On the Prime Minister’s instructions, an emergency was imposed in federal hospitals, and orders were issued to provide the injured with the best possible medical facilities. One injured person was shifted to the Burn Center. Upon receiving the information, police, rescue teams, and fire brigade units rushed to the scene and shifted the victims from the rubble to PIMS and CDA hospitals.
The Prime Minister and the Interior Minister ordered an inquiry into the incident. Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, and Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry expressed deep sorrow over the loss of precious human lives in the gas cylinder explosion.
According to the caller who informed Rescue 15, the explosion occurred at around 7:15 a.m. The wedding was of the son of Hanif, a wireless operator in CDA Sanitation. The wedding procession returned at 2 a.m. Among the deceased are Sherry Hanif, Mehak Hura Masih, Samail Masih, Naeem Masih, Waseem Masih, Bushra Bibi, and Anaiya.
The injured include Saima, Aamir, Mukhtara Bibi, Kashif, Farzana Naeem, wife of Waseem, Salma, Maryam daughter of Waseem, Anaiya daughter of Sunil, and Shomeet daughter of Hanif Masih. Ejaz son of Saeed Masih was shifted to the Burn Center, where his condition is reported to be critical.
Upon receiving news of the incident, Additional Deputy Commissioner General Sahibzada Yousaf arrived at the scene and briefed about the rescue operation. He stated that six people died on the spot, while two injured later succumbed to their injuries at the CDA Hospital. A total of 19 people were rescued from the debris during the operation; of them, 11 were injured and 8 lost their lives.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the explosion, whether it was due to a gas cylinder blast or gas leakage. CDA Chairman Chaudhry Muhammad Ali also visited the affected 66 Quarters area and expressed condolences to the victims’ families. Inspector General of Islamabad Police, Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, visited PIMS Hospital and inquired after those injured in the gas explosion.
Members of Hanif Masih’s family were laid to rest on Sunday night at H-8 Cemetery. A large number of members of the Christian community attended the funeral prayers. The burial of two deceased individuals, Naeem and Waseem, will take place today, Monday.
President Asif Ali Zardari said the tragedy was extremely tragic and heartbreaking, adding that the nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the grieving families. He directed relevant regulators to strictly enforce safety regulations related to the manufacturing, quality, and use of gas cylinders.
The Prime Minister directed the Federal Minister for Health, the Health Secretary, and PIMS administration to remain alert and ensure all possible medical assistance and facilities for the injured until full recovery. He also prayed for their speedy recovery. The Prime Minister instructed the Interior Secretary to conduct a complete investigation into the incident and directed the Islamabad administration to raise public awareness regarding safety precautions in the use of gas cylinders.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed deep sorrow over the loss of precious human lives in the gas cylinder explosion in Sector G-7/2 and conveyed heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. He instructed the administration to provide the injured with the best medical care and ordered an inquiry into the tragic incident, stating that he shares the grief of the bereaved families.
Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani said it was a deeply distressing incident that turned the happiness of several families into mourning. He termed gas cylinder explosions extremely alarming, as they cause loss of life and property to innocent citizens, and stressed that such incidents demand serious responsibility and effective safety measures from the concerned institutions.
Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq said that he was deeply saddened to hear about the loss of precious lives in a gas cylinder explosion during a wedding ceremony, adding that he stands with the affected families in this time of grief.
Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said he was grieved over the loss of precious lives in the unfortunate incident. He stated that the injured are being provided medical treatment in hospitals and that he is in contact with Islamabad’s administration, assuring that every possible assistanc