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Rescuers comb Pakistan bomb hotel | Rescuers comb Pakistan bomb hotel |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Rescuers in the Pakistani capital are continuing to search for bodies and survivors of a suicide bombing at a hotel, which killed at least 53 people. | |
Some 266 others were hurt in the blast, which devastated the Marriott Hotel. | |
CCTV footage shows a lorry catching fire at the hotel security barrier - reporters were told the driver blew himself up - before the lorry exploded. | |
Most of the dead were Pakistani. The Czech ambassador was among at least four foreigners killed. | |
US and Vietnamese citizens were also killed in the blast, which injured at least a dozen foreign nationals. | |
class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7627729.stm">In pictures: Islamabad blast class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7627584.stm">Islamabad's 'message from Hell' class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7627755.stm">Analysis: Pakistanis bear the brunt Six Britons and an unknown number of Saudi, German, Moroccan, Afghan and US citizens, were among those hurt. | |
Funerals of those killed have begun to be held in Islamabad. However, there are fears that more bodies will be found as rescue teams move deeper into the hotel. | |
There has been no claim of responsibility so far, but the interior ministry said the attackers were linked to Islamist militants in the north-west border region near Afghanistan. | |
Collapse fears | Collapse fears |
The heavily-guarded hotel was attacked at about 2000 (1500 GMT) on Saturday, when a lorry blew up at the hotel entrance after it was stopped for a security check. | |
President Asif Ali Zardari vows to rid Pakistan of Islamic militants | President Asif Ali Zardari vows to rid Pakistan of Islamic militants |
The interior ministry has shown a security video of the moments before the blast. | |
Officials did not show the lorry actually blowing up, but they said the vehicle was packed with 600kg of high quality explosives. | |
The force of the explosion created a crater about 6m (20ft) deep, and triggered a fire which engulfed the 290-room, five-storey building for hours. | |
Witnesses described a scene of horror as blood-covered victims were pulled from the wreckage and guests and staff ran for cover from shattered glass and flames. | |
The fire has now burned out and rescue workers have been searching the building room-by-room, pulling bodies out of the blackened debris. | |
Officials have warned that the building could collapse. | |
Some 300 people - many breaking their daytime Ramadan fast - were reported to be in the hotel's restaurants when the explosion hit. | |
Many were saved as the rooms were towards the back of the building, sheltered from the brunt of the blast, says the BBC's Barbara Plett, who is at the scene. | |
The attack came just hours after President Asif Ali Zardari vowed to fight terrorism, in his first speech to parliament since his election earlier this month. | |
After the bombing, he addressed the nation on television. | After the bombing, he addressed the nation on television. |
"This is an epidemic, a cancer in Pakistan which we will root out," he said. "We will not be afraid of these cowards." | "This is an epidemic, a cancer in Pakistan which we will root out," he said. "We will not be afraid of these cowards." |
US pledge | US pledge |
Mr Zardari has left for New York to attend the UN General Assembly session, and is also expected to meet President George W Bush on the sidelines of the UN conference. | |
The meeting comes amid tension between the two countries over US cross-border military attacks on militants in tribal areas of Pakistan, close to the Afghan border. | |
President Bush pledged assistance to Pakistan in the wake of the attack. | |
He said it was "a reminder of the ongoing threat faced by Pakistan, the United States, and all those who stand against violent extremism". | He said it was "a reminder of the ongoing threat faced by Pakistan, the United States, and all those who stand against violent extremism". |
He said the US would "assist Pakistan in confronting this threat and bringing the perpetrators to justice". | He said the US would "assist Pakistan in confronting this threat and bringing the perpetrators to justice". |
The Marriott is the most prestigious hotel in the capital, and is popular with foreigners and the Pakistani elite. | The Marriott is the most prestigious hotel in the capital, and is popular with foreigners and the Pakistani elite. |
It is located near government buildings and diplomatic missions, so security is tight, with guests and vehicles subject to checks. | It is located near government buildings and diplomatic missions, so security is tight, with guests and vehicles subject to checks. |
The Marriott has previously been the target of militants. Last year a suicide bomber killed himself and one other in an attack at the hotel. | The Marriott has previously been the target of militants. Last year a suicide bomber killed himself and one other in an attack at the hotel. |
Are you in the area? Did you see what happened? Send us your comments and eye witness accounts using the form below. | Are you in the area? Did you see what happened? Send us your comments and eye witness accounts using the form below. |
You can send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. | You can send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |
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