BA halts Pakistan flights after Islamabad hotel bombing

In the wake of the terrorist bombing of the Islamabad Marriott Hotel, in what some are calling “Pakistan’s 9/11,” British Airways has suspended service to that city.

By latest count, at least 60 people were killed when a truck rammed the gates of the hotel complex, setting off a massive explosion at the city landmark that was popular with foreign travellers, diplomats and the elite of Pakistan.

Among the more than 300 people injured in the blast and ensuing fire were six UK nationals, including one child.

Two of the Britons who were wounded were staff at the British High Commission. They have been kept in hospital for observation, but the remaining four were discharged after treatment for superficial injuries.

Among the dead were at least five foreigners, including two from the US and the Czech Republic’s ambassador to Pakistan.

A British Airways spokesman in Islamabad, Sohail Rehman, said: “We have temporarily suspended our flight operations in Pakistan following Saturday’s suicide attack. The situation is being reviewed by our head office in London. Right now, we are not in a position to give any date for the resumption of our operations.”

BA’s last flight from London to Islamabad ran on Sunday. The British Embassy in Islamabad employs 150 UK workers, and continues to operate normally.

www.britishairways.com