Six of a family killed in Peshawar hotel explosion

PESHAWAR: Six of a family were killed and two were injured in an explosion in Hotel Afandi in Bilal Town area of the city on Thursday night

According to CCPO Qazi Jamil-ur-Rehman, the family had come from Hangu to Peshawar for medical treatment and were staying at the hotel. 

The deceased were identified as four-year-old Rukhmela, five-year-old Aasaish, 23-year-old Mehran, 25-year-old Nargis, 52-year-old Najmina, and Kamran police said.  

The two injured persons were shifted to Rawalpindi in critical condition for treatment as there is no properly functioning burn unit in Peshawar. 

The blast occurred on the fourth floor of the hotel in room number 408.

Police and rescue workers evacuated people from the hotel as a fire had broken out after the explosion.

The CCPO told Geo News nature of the blast has not been ascertained yet. He said, suspected the explosion could have occurred due to the accumulation of gas in the room. 

AIG Shafqat arrived at the explosion site along with bomb disposal squad.  

The funeral prayers of the deceased were offered in tehsil Tal later in the day. 

Explosion caused by gas cylinder: AIG

The explosion was caused by a gas cylinder, not any explosive device, said the AIG.

While talking to the media in Peshawar, Malik said the explosion occurred after a gas cylinder was turned on to cook something.

He added they found no proof of an explosive device at the hotel.

However, the AIG said, the hotel was damaged as the fire spread to other floors as well.  

Although no terrorist threat was reported in the explosion, police in Peshawar recently warned administrations of educational institutes and media houses to take strict security measures at their respective buildings, officials said.

Previously, a blast occurred in Hayatabad area of Peshawar in a case said to be pertaining to extortion. No loss of life was reported.