At least 24 killed in blast in Peshawar hotel

Islamabad, May 15 (UNI) At least 24 people were killed and several injured as a powerful bomb, planted in a hotel in Peshawar in the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP), went off today.

''More than 24 people were killed and several injured when a blast occurred in a hotel situated at main road in Peshawar,'' private TV channel Geo TV reported.

However, it cited the provincial Interior Ministry as only confirming the deaths of 19 people.

The blast happened in Marhaba Hotel located at the crowded Naz Cinema Road close to the famous centuries-old Mahabat Mosque, it said, adding the hotel, famous for its variety of food, is frequented mostly by Afghan nationals.

The blast had completely destroyed the hotel building.

Police suspect that the bomb contained four to five kg of explosives.

The channel quoted SSP Investigations Jameelur Rehman as saying that investigations of the incident are underway.

The bodies and injured were shifted to Lady Reading Hospital where the condition of many of the injured was reported to be critical.

Emergency was announced in local hospitals after the blast, while the police has cordoned off the area and investigations have commenced.

NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani has announced compensation of Rs 100,000 each for deceased and Rs 50,000 each for injured.

Security put on high alert in Karachi and Lahore following the incident.

Reuters quoted the NWFP's Information Minister Asif Iqbal Daudzai as saying 24 people lost their lives in the blast and 25 to 30 were wounded, while Peshawar police chief Abdul Majeed Marwat said the toll could rise as many of the injured were in a critical condition.

UNI