DEVELOPING HISTORY
The blast at the northwestern city’s mosque, which also serves as a religious school, kills seven people and wounds at least 70 others.
Islamabad, Pakistan – An explosion at a religious school in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar killed at least seven people and injured 70 others, police officials said.
The blast occurred at the Speen Jamaat Mosque, which also serves as a religious school for local children, at 8:30 am local time (3:30 GMT) on Tuesday, police officers told Al Jazeera.
Television footage from the scene of the blast showed significant damage inside the mosque’s main prayer hall, with pox marks on the ceiling and debris strewn across the floor.
Speaking to reporters, Peshawar City Police Chief Muhammad Ali Khan confirmed seven deaths and at least 72 injuries in the incident.
“This happened at 8:30 am, the children were reading the Quran here. That’s when the explosion happened, ”he said.
“Initial research shows […] that 5-6 kilograms of explosive material were used … that a bag of explosives was left here ”.
A rescuer examines wreckage at the site of an explosion at Peshawar religious school[Abdul Majeed/AFP]
Provincial Health Minister Taimur Khan Jhagra said the injured were being treated at Lady Reading Hospital, the city’s main government hospital.
“There have been 72 [wounded] patients brought to LRH, and there have been seven unfortunate deaths, ”Jhagra told reporters at the hospital.
“Our only goal at this time is that injured patients receive the best possible care and have the best chance of recovery.”
More details below.
Television footage from the scene of the blast showed significant damage inside the mosque’s main prayer hall. [Abdul Majeed/AFP].
