Six family members killed in Peshawar hotel explosion

At least six of a family, including two children, were killed and two injured in a powerful explosion in northwest Pakistan's Peshawar city this morning, police said.

The blast, caused by a gas cylinder, occurred on the 4th floor of the hotel near Bilal Town area. All the victims belonged to Hangu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Chief Capital City Police (CCPO) Qazi Jamil ur Rehman said, adding that fire engulfed the entire floor.

The family had come to Peshawar for medical treatment and were staying at the hotel when the blast took place.

The deceased included a man, his wife, mother, two children and a brother.

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

Assistant Inspector General Bomb Disposal Squad Shafqat Malik said the explosion was caused by a gas cylinder, not any explosive device.

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

While talking to the media in Peshawar, Malik said explosion occurred after a gas cylinder was turned on to cook something. He added they found no proof of any explosive device at the hotel.

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

Although no terrorism threat has been 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.