Suicide bombers attack Pearl Continental hotel in Pakistan

10 June 2009 by
Suicide bombers attack Pearl Continental hotel in Pakistan

A luxury hotel in Pakistan has been attacked by suicide bombers, resulting in the death of at least 18 people.

Rescue teams are now searching for survivors in the rubble of the Pearl Continental hotel in Peshawar, including a manager of the hotel.

The well-known landmark hotel is a favourite of foreigners and wealthy Pakistanis, making it a high-profile target for militants. It is known for good Western as well as local food and five-star service.

Police official Liaqat Ali said three men riding in a truck approached the main gate of the hotel and opened fire at security guards before driving inside, according to the BBC.

"They drove the vehicle inside the hotel gates and blew it up on reaching close to the hotel building."

It is reported that the bomb was in a car. The attackers fired on a checkpoint in front of the hotel. They then took the car round the back of the hotel and set the bomb off.

No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack but the Taliban are likely culprits having launched a wave of attacks in Pakistan in retaliation for a military campaign in the Swat Valley region.

Last year, a bomb attack at Islamabad's Marriott Hotel killed more than 50 people and wounded dozens.

Police warn hoteliers of potential ‘guerilla-style raids' during G20 summit >>

Hoteliers urged to take measures against terrorists >>

Terror police brief top hotels after Mumbai massacre >>

Marriott boss ‘greatly saddened' by Islamabad bombings >>

By Gemma Sharkey

E-mail your comments to Gemma Sharkey here.

Caterersearch.com jobs
Looking for a new job? Find your next hotel job here with Caterersearch.com jobs

Blogs on Caterersearch.com](http://www.caterersearch.com/blogs) Catch up with more news and gossip on all Caterer's blogs
[Newsletters For the latest hospitality news, sign up for our e-mail newsletters.
The Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email

Start the working day with The Caterer’s free breakfast briefing email

Sign Up and manage your preferences below

Check mark icon
Thank you

You have successfully signed up for the Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email and will hear from us soon!

Jacobs Media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.

close

Ad Blocker detected

We have noticed you are using an adblocker and – although we support freedom of choice – we would like to ask you to enable ads on our site. They are an important revenue source which supports free access of our website's content, especially during the COVID-19 crisis.

trade tracker pixel tracking