Bride and Groom Among Eight Killed in Gas Cylinder Blast After Wedding in Pakistan’s Capital

At least eight people, including a bride and groom, were killed early Sunday when a gas cylinder exploded at a home in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, shortly after a wedding reception, police and officials said.

The explosion occurred while guests who had gathered to celebrate the couple were sleeping inside the house, causing part of the building to collapse, according to Islamabad police. Seven others were injured in the blast.

Police said the explosion took place in a residential area in the heart of the city. Government administrator Sahibzada Yousaf said authorities were alerted early Sunday and that an investigation is underway. Several nearby houses were also damaged.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the deaths and offered condolences to the victims’ families, his office said. He instructed health authorities to provide the best possible treatment to the injured and ordered a full inquiry into the incident.

Many households in Pakistan rely on liquefied petroleum gas cylinders due to low natural gas pressure, and leaks from such cylinders have been linked to fatal accidents in the past. Police said investigations were continuing.