40 killed, 100 injured in Islamabad suicide attack

Islamabad, Sep 20 (UNI) At least 40 people were killed and more than 100 injured in a suicide blast outside Marriot hotel in Islamabad tonight, senior police officials said.

The attacker came in an explosives-packed vehicle and hit the main entrance of the Marriott Hotel, the officials told UNI.

The blast caused a 30-foot deep crater and smashed window panes and buildings within a two kilometres radius. This was described by officials as the ''mother of all suicide attacks''.

Inspector General Police, Islamabad Asghar Raza said that he feared the hotel building, which caught fire after the blast and was badly damaged by the attack, might collapse.

The officials said there were signs of destruction everywhere.

Trees were uprooted and dozens of cars were smashed in the blast.

According to police officials, the injured also included several foreign nationals, including American citizens.

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