At least eight people, including a newly married couple, were killed in a devastating gas cylinder explosion at a residential house in Islamabad, turning wedding celebrations into tragedy just hours after the ceremony. The explosion occurred late at night while family members and guests were asleep following the wedding festivities. The powerful blast caused a portion of the house to collapse and damaged nearby buildings, trapping several people under the debris.

Rescue teams rushed to the scene and worked for hours to pull survivors from the rubble. Several injured victims were taken to nearby hospitals, where some remain in critical condition, according to officials.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the explosion was caused by a leak from a liquefied petroleum gas cylinder, which is commonly used in households due to inconsistent natural gas supply. Authorities have launched a detailed probe to determine the exact cause and assess whether safety regulations were violated.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and conveyed condolences to the bereaved families. He directed officials to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured and ordered a thorough investigation into the incident.

The tragedy has once again highlighted concerns over household gas safety in Pakistan, where frequent gas shortages have led to increased reliance on cylinders, often without adequate safety checks or regulation. Similar accidents in recent years have raised questions about enforcement standards and public awareness regarding the handling of flammable fuel sources.