Blast at Marriott hotel in Pakistan's capital, several injured

ISLAMABAD (AFP) - Several people were injured in a "big" explosion at the Marriott hotel in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad, a hotel employee told AFP.
"It was a big explosion and several people are injured. It occurred inside the hotel," the employee said.
The blast occurred around 9:35 pm (1635 GMT).
A police spokesman confirmed there was an explosion but said he did not immediately know the cause of the blast or the extent of damage.
The Marriott hotel is one of the most popular in Islamabad for foreign media and business people.
AFP reporters at the scene and another hotel employee, Khurram Ahmed, said at least four people were injured.
They said the Marriott`s glass entrance had been shattered, although the structure of the hotel did not appear to have been severely damaged.
The explosion appeared to have occurred at the lobby entrance, where a security guard normally checks people entering the hotel manually and with an X-ray machine.

10/28/2004 - 18:10 GMT - AFP