updated: Apr 22 2021, 16:56 ist
A powerful bomb blast in the parking area of a luxury hotel in the restive southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta has killed at least five persons and injured 12 others, authorities have said, dismissing reports that the Chinese Ambassador was present in the building when the explosion occurred.
The blast took place in the parking lot of the Serena Hotel in Quetta on Wednesday night. Several vehicles parked in the area caught fire after the blast. According to some initial reports, the hotel was hosting Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong.
Quetta is the capital of Pakistan s Balochistan province.
Initial investigation has revealed the blast was caused when explosive material, fitted inside a car was detonated, said police.
3 killed, over a dozen injured in blast in parking of Quetta s Serena Hotel dawn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from dawn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
A view of the site of the explosion in Quetta. DawnNewsTV
A powerful bomb exploded in the parking lot of the Serena Hotel in Quetta on Wednesday night, killing at least four people and wounding 12 others, officials said.
DIG Azhar Ikram said that the explosive device was apparently fitted in a vehicle, according to initial investigations. He added that a police official was among the deceased.
Security, fire and rescue officials were rushing to the hotel and no one was being allowed to go near the site of the blast, which took place at around 10:15pm.
Addressing a press conference some time after the incident, Balochistan Home Minister Mir Ziaullah Langove said that there was a wave of terrorism in the region. Our own people are involved in these acts of terrorism, he said, adding that there were no threat alerts before the attack.
Crippling energy crisis
All state-owned enterprises in the power and petroleum sectors must hire highly qualified professionals based on merit
The writer is a retired professional based in Karachi. He can be reached at [email protected]
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