Saturday, September 20, 2008

60 killed, 200 wounded in Marriott hotel suicide explosions in Islamabad

Islamabad Marriott hotel suicide blast update

ISLAMABAD, Sept 20 (KUNA) -- The seven-storey building of five-star Marriott hotel was completely destroyed here Saturday night in a powerful suicide blast and more than 50 persons were killed and over 200 others were wounded.

There were two explosions and an explosive of 400 to 500 kg was used in the well-planned attack, according to police sources. The explosions left a 20-feet wide and 15-feet deep crater in the ground.

Sources told KUNA that first a small Suzuki vehicle exploded at the main gate of the heavily-guarded Marriott hotel and then an explosive-laden truck entered inside the hotel and exploded with a huge bang.

Police and hospital sources confirmed the deaths of at least 60 persons including women and children and said that more than 200 others including foreigners sustained injuries.

The wounded also included three US embassy officials, at least two Arab and three German nationals, said sources, adding that a World Bank (WB) delegation was also staying in the hotel.

There was fear of further rise in the death toll as several of the wounded were in critical condition.
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