A gas cylinder explosion in the basement of the Supreme Court on Tuesday left 12 people injured, according to initial reports from the scene.
The blast occurred during repair work on the building’s central air-conditioning system, sources confirmed.
The sudden explosion caused panic inside the building as the shockwaves shook the Supreme Court premises, prompting lawyers, judges’ staff, and other employees to rush outside to safety.
Reports say that Court No 6 has been severely affected by the explosion. Justice Ali Baqar Najafi and Justice Shahzad Malik were conducting a hearing before the explosion.
Panic and quick evacuation
The loud blast is said to have reverberated through the lower floors of the court complex, sending people running toward open areas. Emergency protocols were quickly activated, and rescue teams and security personnel reached the site within minutes.
The injured workers, who were reportedly engaged in maintenance work near the AC plant, were shifted to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Their condition was said to be out of danger, according to hospital sources.
The cause of the explosion is being determined. The cafe in the basement is reserved for Supreme Court staff only.
2 in critical condition
Speaking to the media outside the court, Islamabad IGP Ali Nasir Rizvi said gas had been leaking in the canteen for several days, adding that the explosion took place during the repair of the air conditioner. "Experts have also confirmed that it was a gas explosion," he stated.
The police chief also said that 12 people had been injured, out of which three were shifted to PIMS Hospital and nine to Polyclinic Hospital. He further informed that the condition of two people was critical, while the AC technician sustained severe burns, with 80% of his body affected.
