Blast at hotel in northwest Pakistan kills 13

Blast at hotel in northwest Pakistan kills 13

2011-08-15 03:31:53 GMT+7 (ICT)

JAFFARABAD, PAKISTAN (BNO NEWS) -- A powerful bomb blast at a hotel in southwestern Pakistan on Sunday killed at least 13 people and injured dozens more, the Express Tribune reported.

Officials said at least one explosive device had been planted inside the hotel along the national highway in the town of Dera Allahyar in Balochistan province. The roof of the hotel collapsed following the explosion and several people remained trapped for hours before they were rescued.

According to reports, at least 13 bodies have so far been pulled from the debris of the building, but authorities fear more people could still be missing and remain trapped in the rubble.

District Police Officer Javed Gharshen told local media that at least 22 people sustained serious injuries and were transported to nearby civil hospitals where an emergency had been declared.

The newly emerged Baloch Liberation Tiger claimed responsibility for the bomb blast, according to the Pakistan Tribune. The group's spokesman, who introduced himself as Miran Baloch, said they will target those who are participating in the celebrations of Pakistan's Independence Day.

"It was a homemade bomb which went off with a big bang turning the hotel into debris. The people were taking their midday meal when the blast occurred," Baloch told Pakistani media. Police and security personnel also defused another bomb attached to a gas pipeline a few kilometers (miles) from the blast site.

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