Explosion at Pakistan’s Supreme Court Injures Twelve

At least twelve people were injured following an explosion caused by a gas cylinder and air-conditioning plant at Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Tuesday morning. The blast occurred at approximately 10:55 a.m. local time, according to police reports.

Citing Islamabad’s Inspector General of Police Ali Nasir Rizvi, the Pakistani daily The Express Tribune reported that the main explosion took place in a canteen located in the basement of the Supreme Court building. The court’s central air-conditioning system plant is situated adjacent to the canteen, where maintenance work was reportedly underway at the time.

Authorities believe the initial gas cylinder blast triggered a fire that spread to the AC plant, causing a secondary explosion.

Speaking to journalists, Rizvi confirmed that the worst injuries were sustained by AC technicians working at the site. One of the mechanics suffered burns over 80 percent of his body, he added.

Eyewitnesses described the explosion as extremely powerful, shaking the entire Supreme Court complex. Panic ensued as people rushed out of courtrooms where hearings were in progress. Reports indicate that Building No. 6 of the Supreme Court sustained structural damage due to the force of the blast.

An official source from the Supreme Court confirmed that all scheduled hearings for Tuesday were suspended following the incident. The court is expected to resume normal proceedings on Wednesday once safety inspections are completed.