Islamabad, January 11, 2026: At least eight people, including the bride and groom, were killed and seven others injured after a gas cylinder exploded at a wedding house in Islamabad’s G-7/2 Sector late Saturday night, police confirmed.
The incident occurred at a wedding house located at 66 Quarters, Street No. 23. According to police, the wedding party arrived at around 2:00am when the cylinder exploded. Victims included the bride, the groom, the groom’s mother, maternal uncle, paternal aunt, a cousin, and two neighbors.
The explosion caused the wedding house roof to collapse and damaged three neighboring houses, trapping people under rubble. Injured individuals and the deceased were shifted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and CDA Hospital for treatment. Two additional injured later died at CDA Hospital, bringing the confirmed death toll to eight.
Additional Deputy Commissioner General Sahibzada Muhammad Yousaf told reporters that authorities received a call about the explosion at 7:19am and emergency teams, along with police, reached the site immediately. All roads around the area were closed, and Building Control Department staff were called to assess partially affected structures.
CDA Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa said the rescue operation was nearly complete and that none of the remaining injured were in critical condition. He confirmed that the explosion resulted from a gas leak and that one patient had been transferred to the Burn Centre. Randhawa added that affected families would receive assistance.
The Capital Emergency Services deployed 45 personnel, 10 ambulances, and one rescue vehicle for relief operations. Both the CDA chairman and Islamabad Chief Commissioner expressed grief over the incident.
At PIMS, Dr. Aneza Jalil, Deputy Executive Director (Non-Medical) Departments, said an emergency had been declared at the hospital. She confirmed that two children were among the injured. Patients are being treated in the Orthopaedics, Burn, and Neuro departments, with most injuries caused by collapsing roofs.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives, praying for the deceased and the recovery of the injured. He directed health authorities and PIMS administration to provide all possible medical assistance and ordered a thorough investigation into the incident. The PM also instructed the Islamabad administration to raise public awareness on gas cylinder safety.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi echoed the Prime Minister’s sentiments, emphasising that the government stands with the victims’ families and will ensure they receive all necessary support. He directed authorities to provide the best possible medical treatment to the injured and carry out a full inquiry.
Rescue officials urged citizens to regularly inspect gas cylinders, pipelines, and geysers, especially before sleeping. They warned against operating electrical switches or lighting flames if gas is suspected and advised opening doors and windows immediately in the event of a leak.
Inspector General of Police Islamabad Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi visited the injured at PIMS, offered condolences to the bereaved families, and praised police for timely and effective rescue operations.
