Bomb blast kills at least 70 at Pakistan’s hospital in Quetta

Asia-Pacific, News August 8, 2016 , by IRIA No Comments

At least 70 people killed in blast and scores wounded in suicide blast in Pakistan’s city of Quetta

QUETTA (Pakistan) – At least 70 people were killed and 100 injured in a suicide bomb attack outside a Pakistan hospital on Monday morning.

The bomb exploded at around 10 a.m. local time at Civil Hospital, one of the biggest in the city of Quetta, capital of Balochistan province in southwestern Pakistan.

Witnesses described horrifying scenes of bodies being scattered about and the wounded screaming out and crying for help. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the blast.

Abdul Rehman Miankhel, a senior official at the government-run Civil Hospital, where the explosion occurred, told reporters that at least 63 people had been killed, with more than 50 wounded, as the casualty toll spiked from initial estimates.

Balochistan Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti said: “The blast occurred after a number of lawyers and some journalists had gathered at the hospital following the death of the president of the Balochistan Bar Association in a separate shooting incident early this morning.”

The large explosion took place as dozens gathered at the Hospital after the killing of Balochistan Bar Association Advocate Bilal Anwar Kasi.

Sanaullah Zehri, chief minister of Balochistan province, said the attack appeared to be well planned.

“The terrorists first targeted the lawyer, and they knew the body would be brought to the hospital, even if he was only wounded, and people will gather,” said Mr. Zehri. “That’s where the suicide bomber blew himself up.”

Pakistani media said that journalists were among those wounded, with at least two cameramen killed.

Tragic scenes from Quetta Civil Hospital blast on Monay, 8 August 2016

Pakistan’s Prime Minister and Army Chief arrived in Quetta city to visit the victims.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the loss of precious life and ordered the provincial report to arrest the culprits. The premier said no one will be allowed to disturb peace in the province that has been restored due to countless sacrifices of security forces, police and the people of Balochistan.

Army chief General Raheel Sharif arrived at the Civil Hospital Quetta soon after the tragic incident and inquired after the injured victims of Quetta blast.

The army chief also directed the authorities concerned to provide best medical care to those admitted at the hospital. “COAS visited Balochistan High Court and offered condolences to chief justice Balochistan and the panel of judges,” Director General Inter-Service Public Relations Lt-Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa shared.