NC4 highlights incidents from over 1000 reported per month. This featured incident provides an overview of the incident and presents selected updates and resources. Featured incidents demonstrate NC4 coverage and timeliness.
Pakistan Bombing
September 20, 2008
On 20 September 2008 at approximately 8:00 pm local time (GMT +5), a large vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated in front of the Marriott Hotel in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad. The blast left a crater 20 feet deep by 60 feet in diameter, and destroyed the entire façade of the hotel. It is estimated that the vehicle contained approximately one metric ton of explosives. A large area of the 315-room hotel was engulfed in flames for several hours after the explosion. The attack claimed the lives of over fifty people, and injured some 250 more. Among the casualties were British, German, American, Saudi, Afghan and Moroccan nationals.
The explosion occurred just two hours after the newly elected President Asif Ali Zardari had given his first address to a joint session of Parliament declaring that terrorism would not be tolerated in Pakistan. This attack has been classified as one of the worst in Pakistan’s history, and is the third suicide bombing at the hotel in the last four years. Intelligence officials have linked the attack to the militant faction Tehrik-e Taleban Pakistan; a group the previous government blamed for the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.
Selected Updates
NC4 Incident Monitoring Center issued the following alerts:
- An explosion has been reported in Islamabad; no reports of casualties at this time. 09/20/08 06:12 PST
- At least 8 killed, 50 injured in suicide car bombing outside of Marriott Hotel.
09/20/08 06:42 PST
- Marriott Hotel bombing death toll climbs to 50 with at least 200 other injuries reported. 09/20/08 13:34 PST
- Death toll estimated at approximately 50 with nearly 250 other injuries reported. 09/20/08 19:44 PST
- Czech ambassador to Pakistan and two Americans killed. 09/21/08 03:05 PST
- Recovery efforts underway following deadly suicide truck bombing at Marriott Hotel. 09/21/08 09:55 PST
Additional Resources
NC4 provides ongoing updates to members as the incident unfolds through the National Incident Monitoring Center (NIMC). NIMC analysts follow the incident using official government sources as well as national and local media sources - linking to the Reuters breaking news article, Bomb explodes outside Islamabad hotel, including images from the scene and eyewitness reports.
 One-page printable summary with graphics
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