Terror strikes: Emergency declared at LRH as blast victims pour in

Media cell confirms seven deaths, 11 injured

PESHAWAR:

Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) was in a state of emergency once again on Thursday, after a deadly explosion in a passenger coach on Kohat Road claimed seven lives and injured 11 people.

As is the case with all major terrorism incidents and catastrophes, the dead and the injured were rushed to the LRH in ambulances and private vehicles. And yet again, nurses and doctors faced hurdles in tending to the patients due to the arrival of a large number of worried family members and visitors at the emergency ward.

According to the LRH Department of Media and Protocol, 18 people were brought to the hospital. Seven of these were dead and five out of the 11 injured were in critical condition. All passengers sustained burn injuries, while three of the bodies were charred beyond recognition.

Four of the deceased were identified as Jamil Hussain, a personnel of the Frontier Corps, Fazal, Sadaf Ali and Imtiaz Hussain. The identities of the three remaining could not be ascertained. Those who were injured included, Sajjad Hussain, Syed Sarfarz Ali Shah, Shahid Rehman, Amjid Ali and Ishtiaq Hussain.

Inside the bus

Passenger Sajjad Hussain whose legs and hands had burn injuries told The Express Tribune the coach was heading to Parachinar, Kurram Agency from Peshawar.

According to Sajjad, a young man had reserved the back seats of the vehicle and told the driver that some women would board at Scheme Chowk.

“He was continuously talking on the phone and holding onto his bag,” said Sajjad. He added that when the van reached Scheme Chowk, the man disembarked, leaving his bag behind.

As soon as the man crossed the road, there was a huge explosion and the van caught fire, recalled Sajjad. “I was sitting near a window and jumped out after the blast,” he added.

Ishtiaq Hussain, another injured, said the van was in flames in a matter of seconds and many of the passengers were severely burnt.

“We have been targeted and no political leader has even visited the hospital to enquire about us,” said Ishtiaq. He added the government should ensure the security of its citizens.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 3^rd, 2014.