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Many dead in Peshawar explosion Many dead in Peshawar explosion
(30 minutes later)
More than 50 people have been killed and scores hurt by a large blast in a market in Peshawar, Pakistan. At least 80 people have been killed and scores hurt by a large car bomb in a market in Peshawar, Pakistan.
Buildings were set on fire after the blast and plumes of smoke were seen drifting over the north-western city.Buildings were set on fire after the blast and plumes of smoke were seen drifting over the north-western city.
Similar attacks have killed more than 200 people in recent weeks, as the army carries out an operation against Taliban militants in South Waziristan.Similar attacks have killed more than 200 people in recent weeks, as the army carries out an operation against Taliban militants in South Waziristan.
The blast comes as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton begins a visit to the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.The blast comes as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton begins a visit to the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.
Pakistani television showed footage of burning shops in the Peepal Mandi area of Peshawar and crowds digging through rubble to rescue people.Pakistani television showed footage of burning shops in the Peepal Mandi area of Peshawar and crowds digging through rubble to rescue people.
The market mostly sells products for women, and most of the dead were reported to be women.The market mostly sells products for women, and most of the dead were reported to be women.
The number of casualties is expected to rise. "There was a huge blast. There was smoke and dust everywhere. I saw people dying and screaming on the road," eyewitness Mohammad Siddique told the AFP news agency.
Hamid Afridi, head of the Lady Reading hospital in Peshawar, told the AFP news agency more than 80 people had been wounded. An official in the hospitals' emergency department told the BBC he was afraid that many people had died.
"We have declared an emergency in the hospital," he said.
Burning buildingsBurning buildings
Police official Anwar Shah told AFP the blast had been caused by a car bomb. Zafar Iqbal at the city's Lady Reading hospital told AFP more than 150 people had been wounded. Doctors said a state of emergency had been declared at the hospital.
Dozens of people were injured by the explosion ANALYSIS Kim Ghattas, Islamabad
The explosion in Peshawar comes as a violent reminder for Hillary Clinton - if any was needed - of the difficult task she and the Obama administration are facing in Pakistan.
In the fight against al-Qaeda and the Taliban, Islamabad is a crucial ally and the secretary of state will press Pakistan to continue its offensive against the Taliban in south Waziristan.
She will have to choose her words carefully. Her visit comes amid a surge of anti-American feelings here. The attack will be seen by many as retaliation by the militants against the army's offensive.
Police official Anwar Shah said the blast had been caused by a car bomb.
"It was a huge bomb blast, heard in almost all the city," he said."It was a huge bomb blast, heard in almost all the city," he said.
An eyewitness told Pakistan's Dawn television station his house shook when the blast happened.
"I saw people taking away bodies on motorcycles and scooters and carrying bodies," he said.
Another witness, Aqueel ur Rehman, said bodies were lying under the debris.Another witness, Aqueel ur Rehman, said bodies were lying under the debris.
"Several buildings and a mosque have been badly damaged while a fire has engulfed a building," he told Reuters."Several buildings and a mosque have been badly damaged while a fire has engulfed a building," he told Reuters.
Bomb disposal official Shafqat Malik said rescue teams were trying to reach people still trapped under the debris.
Peshawar was the scene of the deadliest attack in Pakistan, when more than 50 people died in an explosion at an historic market.
The BBC's Mark Dummet in Islamabad says the latest attack is likely to be blamed on the Taliban, who have already carried out a string of bombings in Pakistani cities since the beginning of the month.The BBC's Mark Dummet in Islamabad says the latest attack is likely to be blamed on the Taliban, who have already carried out a string of bombings in Pakistani cities since the beginning of the month.
City on the frontline Audacious tactics
Security has been stepped up across the country but the government still appears to be unable to stop the attacks, says our correspondent.Security has been stepped up across the country but the government still appears to be unable to stop the attacks, says our correspondent.
Peshawar was the scene of the deadliest attack in Pakistan, when more than 50 people died in an explosion at an historic market. class="" href="/2/hi/south_asia/8310839.stm">City on the frontline class="" href="/2/hi/south_asia/8305778.stm">Militants' audacious tactics
Mrs Clinton is in Pakistan to discuss US concerns about the increasing numbers of militant attacks and the security of the country's nuclear weapons.Mrs Clinton is in Pakistan to discuss US concerns about the increasing numbers of militant attacks and the security of the country's nuclear weapons.
She has pledged extra US support in Pakistan's fight against the militant insurgency.She has pledged extra US support in Pakistan's fight against the militant insurgency.
Last week, Pakistan launched an offensive in South Waziristan, which considered to be the main sanctuary for Islamic militants outside Afghanistan.
Correspondents say the Peshawar blasts will comes as a violent reminder for the US of the difficult task it is facing in the fight against the Taliban, both in Pakistan and across the border in Afghanistan.Correspondents say the Peshawar blasts will comes as a violent reminder for the US of the difficult task it is facing in the fight against the Taliban, both in Pakistan and across the border in Afghanistan.
Are you in Peshawar? Did you witness the explosion? Send us your stories using the form below.Are you in Peshawar? Did you witness the explosion? Send us your stories using the form below.
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