A 19-year-old youth, Asad Muneeb, tragically succumbed to burn injuries on Wednesday, a day after sustaining critical wounds in an explosion caused by a gas leak in the air-conditioning (AC) plant of the Supreme Court cafeteria.
At least 13 people were injured in the powerful blast that occurred on Tuesday afternoon. Newly surfaced CCTV footage shows maintenance workers inside the cafeteria moments before a sudden flash of fire erupted, followed by a violent explosion that shook the Supreme Court building.
The injured were immediately shifted to the Burn Centre of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS). Despite receiving intensive care, Asad, who had suffered extensive burns, could not survive his injuries.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as the explosion sent panic through the court premises. Lawyers, staff members, and visitors rushed outdoors as smoke filled the cafeteria and adjoining corridors.
According to initial police reports, the incident appears to have been accidental, caused by a technical fault in the AC system. “Preliminary findings suggest a gas leak in the central air-conditioning plant led to the blast during maintenance work,” investigators confirmed.
Rescue teams and security officials swiftly evacuated the area, cordoned off the site, and initiated a thorough inspection to assess structural damage and safety hazards.
Authorities have launched a detailed inquiry into the cause of the explosion to determine whether safety protocols were followed during the maintenance process.
The tragic incident has raised concerns about safety standards in public institutions, particularly regarding maintenance procedures for high-pressure systems and gas installations.
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