News Desk
PESHAWAR: The death toll in the Peshawar mosque blast has climbed to 100 after more bodies were retrieved from the wreckage by the rescue teams, ARY News reported on Tuesday, quoting the deputy commissioner.
Security officials said the explosion took place around 1:40pm on Monday as Zuhr prayers were being offered as a result of which the roof of the mosque caved in. The rescue operation is still underway at the mosque site to retrieve the victims.
Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) spokesperson Muhammad Asim has confirmed the number of casualties, saying that almost 100 people were martyred and 169 people sustained injuries in the ‘suicide blast’.
The LRH spokesperson said several bodies have been handed over to their heirs after identification.
The outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the blast at a mosque in Peshawar’s Police Lines.
Police and rescuers shifted the injured to the Lady Reading and other hospitals in the area. The caretaker government of KP has imposed emergency in Peshawar’s hospitals.
The administration of the Lady Reading Hospital has appealed to the masses for blood donations to treat the injured. Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies immediately cordoned off the area and were collecting the evidence from the crime scene.
Videos and pictures shared by social media users show horrific scenes as the injured drenched in blood were shifted to local medical centres for first aid after the Peshawar mosque blast.
A part of the mosque has collapsed. While talking to ARY News, an eyewitness said he was going to the mosque when the blast occurred and panic prevailed.