At least seven people were injured on Tuesday after a gas leak triggered an explosion inside the National University of Modern Languages (NUML) in Islamabad, according to police officials.
Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IG) Ali Nasir Rizvi told the media that the blast occurred at around 4pm. He said the university had turned its gas supply back on shortly before the incident, which caused gas to accumulate inside a room.
According to the IG, a short circuit then ignited the leaked gas, resulting in the explosion.
Clerk Suffers Severe Burns; Students Sustain Minor Injuries
IG Rizvi said the explosion took place inside a prayer room located next to a clerk’s office. Seven people were present at the time, including five students, a clerk, and a junior assistant.
The clerk suffered 60–65% burn injuries, while the clerical assistant also sustained burns. The students received minor injuries. “Seven people are under treatment, and six of them are out of danger,” the IG stated.
Multiple teams — including Operations, Investigations, Special Branch, and the Counter-Terrorism Department — inspected the site. The IG confirmed that authorities found no signs of explosives.
“We have ruled out any foul play. The blast was caused purely by a gas leak and short circuit,” he said.
Gas Lines Checked; Fire Contained to One Room
The police chief said all gas connections at the university were shut down as part of safety protocols. NUML’s administration was also instructed to assess gas pipelines and examine the structural stability of the affected building.
Rescue 1122 officials said they received the first call at 4:06pm. Emergency responders quickly controlled the fire and confirmed that the damage was limited to a single room.
Visuals from the scene showed students evacuating in panic as smoke rose from the building. Rescue workers and bystanders were seen assisting injured individuals on the ground.
Established in 2002 as a university, NUML offers programs ranging from undergraduate to PhD, and hosts thousands of students from across the country.
