A powerful bomb blast in a hotel in the centre of the north-western Pakistani city of Peshawar has killed at least 24 people, police and officials say.
A powerful bomb blast in a hotel in the centre of the north-western Pakistani city of Peshawar has killed at least 24 people, police and officials say.
Latest reports say part of the hotel, the Marhaba, has collapsed, trapping people inside. The bomb is reported to have gone off in the lobby.
Latest reports say part of the hotel, the Marhaba, has collapsed, trapping people inside. The bomb is reported to have gone off in the lobby.
A number of the wounded have been taken for treatment. About 30 people are reported to have been injured.
A number of the wounded have been taken for treatment. About 30 people are reported to have been injured.
Peshawar has seen many recent attacks, some causing serious loss of life.
Peshawar has seen many recent attacks, some causing serious loss of life.
Rescue efforts
Rescue efforts
The Marhaba, in Peshawar's old city, is popular with tribal visitors from Afghanistan.
The Marhaba, in Peshawar's old city, is popular with tribal visitors from Afghanistan.
The blast happened at lunchtime when the hotel was crowded with diners, provincial police chief Sharif Virk said.
The blast happened at lunchtime when the hotel was crowded with diners, provincial police chief Sharif Virk said.
He said a woman and a child were among the dead.
He said a woman and a child were among the dead.
Mr Virk said his men believed the bomb was probably planted, rather than being a suicide attack.
Local people are trying to get any survivors out of the building as well as retrieving bodies.
Local people are trying to get any survivors out of the building as well as retrieving bodies.
Mr Virk called the incident terrorism, but he has not named any suspects.
Mr Virk called the incident terrorism, but he has not named any suspects.
There have been a series of explosions in Peshawar over the past year.
There have been a series of explosions in Peshawar over the past year.
Some have been blamed on local militants from Pakistan's nearby tribal areas, said to be taking revenge for government strikes against them.
Some have been blamed on local militants from Pakistan's nearby tribal areas, said to be taking revenge for government strikes against them.
Others have been blamed on Afghan intelligence. Pakistan and Afghanistan have a history of strained relations.
Others have been blamed on Afghan intelligence. Pakistan and Afghanistan have a history of strained relations.
Tensions flared again this week with clashes on the border between the two armies.Were you in the area? Did you see anything? You can send us your comments using the form below:
Tensions flared again this week with clashes on the border between the two armies.Were you in the area? Did you see anything? You can send us your comments using the form below:
