A gas explosion at a residential property in Islamabad, Pakistan, has resulted in the deaths of eight individuals and left more than a dozen injured. The incident occurred on Sunday morning, with emergency services attributing the blast to a gas leakage.
Incident Details
The explosion took place at approximately 07:00 local time on Sunday. Emergency workers determined that the blast was caused by a gas leakage that accumulated in a room before detonating. The force of the explosion led to the collapse of the house's roof and caused damage to its walls. Additionally, three adjacent houses sustained damage.
Casualties
The eight fatalities included a newly-married couple, identified as Usman Zahid and Gabriela Pomeroy. Also among the deceased were the groom's mother and his sister-in-law, along with other family members and wedding guests. Over a dozen individuals sustained injuries in the incident. The groom's father confirmed that the couple had married the day prior. Reports indicate that the individuals were sleeping in the house following a wedding celebration that had concluded around 03:00 local time.
Response and Investigation
Rescue workers were deployed to the scene to extricate injured individuals trapped under the debris. Following the incident, police cordoned off the affected area and initiated an investigation into the circumstances of the explosion. Forensic officers were dispatched to examine the site, and sniffer dogs were deployed to search through the debris and ensure all individuals were accounted for. Pakistan's Senate Chairman, Yusuf Raza Gilani, also commented on the incident.