More than two dozen people have been killed and about 150 others wounded in a suicide bomb explosion at a mosque in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar on Monday, according to officials.
Muhammed Asim, Lady Reading Hospital spokesperson in Peshawar told Al Jazeera that at least 28 people were confirmed dead with more than 100 injured brought in for treatment.
AFP
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Impact of the explosion led to roof collapse
The blast took place at the mosque where a large number of people had gathered for prayer, police official Sikandar Khan told Reuters news agency on Monday.
“A portion of the building collapsed and several people are believed to be under it,” Khan added.
There are concerns the death toll could rise as many of the wounded individuals were listed in critical condition. The impact of the explosion collapsed the roof of the mosque, injuring people inside as it caved in.
Peshawar senior police official Saddique Khan said no one has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. Similar suicide bombings in the past have been attributed to the Pakistani Taliban.
AFP via Getty
Had ‘nearly 300’ people inside
Peshawar’s police chief, Muhammad Ijaz Khan, later said in a statement on television that the capacity of the main hall of the mosque was nearly 300 and it was “nearly full” at the time of the explosion.
In a statement, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif condemned the bombing and promised “stern action” against those who were behind the attack.
Police officer Meena Gul, who survived the attack, said he was inside the mosque when the bomb went off. He said he could hear cries and screams after the bomb exploded.
AP
The mosque is situated in Peshawar’s Police Lines, which is part of city’s red zone and has numerous important government installations including the Chief Minister House, Governor House, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial assembly building.
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