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'Suicide blast' at Pakistan hotel | 'Suicide blast' at Pakistan hotel |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A suicide bomber has killed himself and one other at a top hotel in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, officials say. | A suicide bomber has killed himself and one other at a top hotel in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, officials say. |
Police have sealed off the blast area in the car park of the Marriott hotel. | Police have sealed off the blast area in the car park of the Marriott hotel. |
"It was a suicide attack. The bomber and one security official of the hotel were killed," Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao told Reuters news agency. | |
The Marriott is located near government buildings and diplomatic missions. Police say at least five people hurt in the explosion were taken to hospital. | |
'Huge bang' | |
Witnesses say the bomber tried to enter the hotel through a back door that is used by staff. | |
It was a huge bang - we rushed outside and there was chaos Hotel guest Mohammed Aamir | |
He was stopped by the security guard and detonated his explosives after a scuffle. | |
The BBC's Barbara Plett at the scene says part of the hotel and a number of cars were also damaged. | |
Frightened hotel guests spoke of chaos after the explosion, which could be heard in other parts of the city. | |
"I was taking lunch at the Royal Elephant Thai restaurant inside the Marriott when the entire restaurant was shaken by a bang," one guest, Mohammed Aamir, told the AFP news agency. | |
"It literally shook us out of our seats. It was a huge bang. We rushed outside and there was chaos." | |
The city's Poly Clinic hospital said it was treating four of those injured in the explosion. | |
"One is serious and three others have minor injuries," doctor Murtaza Nadeem told AFP. | |
Security | |
The Marriott was due to host a reception later on Friday marking the 58th Republic Day of Pakistan's neighbour and rival, India. It is not clear if there is any link with the bombing. | |
Some observers say the bomber may have been trying to target a bar in the hotel's basement where Westerners and other foreigners gather. | |
But they point out that if he had wanted to inflict maximum damage he would have entered by the front door. | |
Security at the Marriott is tight, with guests and vehicles subjected to checks. An explosion at the hotel in October 2004 injured five people. | |
The US embassy warned its staff to stay away from the Marriott after the blast, even though it was blamed by Pakistan's authorities on an electrical short circuit. | |
Bombings are fairly frequent in Pakistan, and are often blamed on Islamic militants. But there have been few attacks in the purpose-built capital itself, where security is easier to maintain. | |
High security alerts were called in the cities of Karachi and Peshawar following Friday's blast. |