Rescue work underway in Islamabad

The death toll in the Islamabad hotel suicide blast has climbed to 53 after 10 more dead bodies have been pulled out of the gutted structure.

The five-star hotel was completely gutted after the suicide blast in which 53 people were killed and 250 others injured including 21 foreigners. Five women were also among the dead while 70 injured, said to be in critical condition, also shifted to hospitals.

Eyewitnesses said a small car smashed into the barricades erected in front of the hotel followed by an explosives-laden truck, which later hit the hotel’s main entrance. Fire engulfed the whole building within no time after gas pipelines were burst due to the blast.

The blast, so powerful it was heard for miles, blew an enormous crater in the ground and destroyed the outside wall of the compound. Buildings several kilometers away had windows blown out from the impact.

Meanwhile, 10 more dead bodies were pulled out of the rubble from the hotel today. It is being feared that death toll may rise. Investigation teams inspected the area in the morning today.

On the other hand, interior ministry confirmed that 38 persons have been killed in the blast. The government has announced the reward money of Rs10 millions to pass on information about presons responsible for Islamabad blast.