RAWALPINDI: Three women died due to a gas leak at an apartment in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.

Initially, Rescue 1122 spokesperson Usman Gujjar had told Dawn that the incident was an explosion caused by a suspected gas leak.

However, Imtiaz Nazir, a sub-inspector at Rawat police station, said that all the victims suffocated because of a gas leak from an instant geyser.

Meanwhile, a Rescue 1122 statement, which confirmed the casualties, said one woman found unconscious at the scene had been taken to a hospital where she was being provided medical assistance.

According to Rescue 1122, the ages of the deceased women were 45, 60 and 70 years, while the one who lost consciousness was 23 years old.

The statement said the incident occurred in Bahria Town Phase VII, and two emergency vehicles as well as five rescue personnel were sent to the site, following which a search and rescue operation was initiated.

It further stated that Rawalpindi District Emergency Officer Engineer Sibghatullah pointed to a “significant increase” in gas leak incidents due to the increased use of gas heaters and stoves at homes during the winter season.

Rescue 1122 said most of these incidents were a consequence of “minor negligence”, advising citizens not to turn any electricity switch on or off if they smell gas, nor light a match in such a situation. Instead, open windows and doors to ventilate the house and relocate all residents to a safe place outside the house, it said.

The incident comes two days after an explosion in Islamabad on Sunday claimed the lives of eight people, including a newlywed couple.

Twelve people were injured in the explosion, which officials said seemed to have been caused by a gas cylinder, but a thorough investigation would determine the exact cause. Taking notice of the incident, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had also ordered an inquiry into the explosion.