Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Advertisement A massive bomb blast has hit the Marriott Hotel in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, killing at least 40 people. The hotel's owner said the explosion occurred when a lorry, which was being checked by security staff and sniffer dogs blew up at the hotel's entrance. The blast created a 20ft (6m) deep crater, and destroyed the entire front section of the hotel. President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack and vowed to "continue to fight terrorism and extremism". In a statement, he said: "Such dastardly acts cannot dent the government's commitment to fight this menace."
In pictures: Islamabad blast Islamabad's 'message from Hell' The explosion - a suspected suicide bombing - is thought to have been caused by more than a tonne of explosives and police are warning that the hotel could collapse. The BBC's defence and security correspondent, Rob Watson, says that the attack bears the hallmarks of al-Qaeda, given the scale, the target and what would appear to be the careful political timing involved. The attack came just hours after the newly elected President Zardari had given his first speech to MPs, vowing not to allow Pakistan's territory to be violated by terrorists or foreign powers fighting them. Our correspondent says the attack is without doubt the most serious in the Pakistani capital to date and will spark fears about the country's stability in the face of a growing Islamist insurgency. Heavy security A huge area of the 315-room hotel remained on fire hours after the explosion. The BBC's Barbara Plett, at the scene, said the emergency services were struggling to reach the upper floors of the hotel, where more people were feared trapped. At least 100 people have been injured in the attack, among them four British citizens as well as Saudi, German, Moroccan, Afghan and US nationals. A hotel employee, Mohammad Sultan, said he was in the reception when something exploded, forcing him to the ground. "I don't understand what it was, but it was like the world is finished," he said. There are reports that at least 200 people were in the hotel's restaurants at the time of the explosion, many breaking their Ramadan fast. The Marriott is the most prestigious hotel in the capital, and is popular with foreigners and the Pakistani elite. The hotel is located near government buildings and diplomatic missions, so security is tight, with guests and vehicles subject to checks. The Marriott has previously been the target of militants. Last year a suicide bomber killed himself and one other in an attack at the hotel. Insurgency In an interview with the BBC, Senator Enver Beg, from the Pakistan People's Party, appealed to the international community for help in the struggle against terrorism. "Pakistan is a frontline country in the war on terror. We are, again, with suicide bombings which are taking place all over the country. "Our economy is affected because of these terrorist activities. And I think the international community has to come out and help Pakistan to fight against this terrorism," he said. Pakistan has been a key ally of the US in its "war on terror" US President George W Bush condemned the attack and said it was "a reminder of the ongoing threat faced by Pakistan, the United States, and all those who stand against violent extremism". He said the US would "assist Pakistan in confronting this threat and bringing the perpetrators to justice". UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband called the attack "disgraceful" and said it would reinforce Britain's resolve to fight violent extremism with Pakistan. Pakistan has been a key ally of the US in its "war on terror", but relations have become strained over tactics. In recent months Pakistan has voiced growing disquiet over US raids targeting militants in its territory, launched from neighbouring Afghanistan. Al-Qaeda and Taleban militants based in Pakistan's north-west tribal region have repeatedly carried out attacks across the border in Afghanistan. Militants have also carried out waves of attacks in Pakistan in recent years. Just over a year ago, Pakistani army commandos stormed Islamabad's Red Mosque - also known as Lal Masjid - which had been taken over by pro-Taleban clerics. The operation brought an end to the bloody siege. But Islamist militants responded with a wave of suicide bombings around the country that killed around 1,000 people. Are you in the area? Did you see what happened? Send us your comments and eye witness accounts using the form below. You can send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. Name
Your E-mail address
Town & Country
Phone number (optional):
Comments
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide.
Terms & Conditions
E-mail this to a friend Printable version Bookmark with: Delicious
Digg
reddit
Facebook
StumbleUpon What are these?
Una explosión en el Hotel Marriott en la capital pakistaní de Islamabad se saldó con al menos 40 muertos y cerca de 200 de heridos. El jefe de la policía de la ciudad, Asghar Raza Gardazi, confirmó la cifra de muertos y expresó que podría ascender más aún teniendo en cuenta la gran la cantidad de heridos.

El grupo Tahreek-e-Taliban se atribuyó el ataque, y fuentes indican que es un grupo afiliado a la red Al Qaeda.

Las fuerzas de seguridad estaban en la escena retirando cuerpos ensangrentados de sus automóviles. Se intuye que la mayoría de las víctimas son personal del hotel y conductores que estaban esperando en la entrada de éste. Las ambulancias ya se encuentran en la zona, y están trasladando a los heridos a los hospitales de la capital mientras y los bomberos intentan aplacar las llamas.

El Marriott es un recurrido hotel turístico y favorito por personalidades para socializar, aunque ha sido víctima de ataques en el pasado. El hotel tenía estrictas medidas de seguridad, por lo que era difícil entrar en él.

Oficiales reportaron que la explosión, ocurrida a las 20:00 (hora local), ocurrió "cuando un auto se acercó al muro de protección frente al hotel" y detonó. La explosión causó una pérdida de gas, por lo que dos tercios de sus 258 cuartos están envueltos en llamas. Según informó la policía, también se teme que la estructura colapse sobre unas 15 personas que han quedado atrapadas en el interior del hotel.

Estados Unidos condenó el ataque a través del portavoz del Consejo de Seguridad Nacional. "Esto es un recordatorio de la amenaza que todos enfrentamos. Apoyaremos al gobierno de Pakistán mientras afronten este desafío", declaró el portavoz, Gordon Johndroe.

El ataque ocurre horas después de que el nuevo presidente pakistaní diera un discurso ante el Parlamento, donde mostró su decisión de reforzar la lucha contra el terrorismo. El atentado es parte de una ola de ataques terrorista que asedian Pakistán. Al menos otros dos ataques contra convoyes militares en otras partes del país habrían dejado otros ocho muertos.

El gobierno pakistaní ha decretado estado de emergencia en el país.