60 dead following bomb targetting hotel

A suicide truck bombing targeted the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad on 20 September 2008. The hotel is located in close proximity to the presidential offices and Parliament. The attack occurred at approximately 2000 local time (1400 UTC), when the truck blew up as security guards at the hotel's front gate were examining the vehicle. Four restaurants in the hotel were reported to have been filled with people at the time of the explosion; the time Muslims broke their daily fast for Ramadan. As of 22 September 2008, at least 60 people have been confirmed dead in the attack, including citizens from Germany, the United States, the Czech Republic and Vietnam. Rescuers continue to search the wreckage of the hotel for possible survivors and bodies, and the casualty count may continue to rise. Authorities estimated that the truck used in the attack contained approximately 1,300 lb/600 kg of explosives. The blast left a 30 foot deep crater in front of the hotel and authorities reported that the hotel building remains in poor condition and maycollapse. The blast ignited gas cylinders in the kitchen, sparking a fire that spread rapidly through the hotel. Effects of the blast were reportedly felt as far as 15 mi/24 km away; buildings that stood within 500 feet of the hotel sustained significant damage. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but security officials have stated that the Taliban and its allies had earlier issued statements that threatened retaliation for ongoing U.S. attacks in northern Pakistan. "The bombing also came on the one-year anniversary of Osama bin Laden's call for Pakistani Muslims to unleash jihad or holy war against the government. Reports also state that senior figures of the Pakistani government including the prime minister, the president and various military chiefs may have been the targets of the attack as they were scheduled to dine at the Marriott but had their dinner plans changed at the last minute. In response to the attack, British Airways has suspended operations to Pakistan from 22-29 September, and the American School in Islamabad has closed until further notice.