Rescuers work in the dark as fire rages
Rescuers work in the dark as fire rages
By Atif Khan ISLAMABAD: The deadly attack on Marriott Hotel was an acid test for security agencies and civic services to tackle such tragedies with concerted efforts. Pathetically they have flunked it straightaway. Forensic experts told Daily Times that the blast left a 17-feet deep and 34-feet wide crater. An estimated 112 rooms of the hotel were occupied by guests, locals and foreigners. As the explosive-packed dumper rammed into the entrance gate and exploded, it killed all employees and passers-by present on the spot, according to eyewitness account.Eyewitnesses said most guests were busy breaking fast on Aftar dinner. “I went to bed early as I had to catch a flight tomorrow morning. But then there was a big bang and fire all around,” an employee of the British High Commission told Daily Times. He said he was on second floor at the time of explosion and could manage to escape by escalators only hardly.The forensic experts said it seemed that the dumper was carrying over 1,000 kg of explosives. They said the explosion disrupted electricity and gas pipelines, setting off a huge fire.The blast was so powerful that it completely damaged the cars parked opposite the hotel. It has been learnt that a guard standing near Frontier House died due to impact of the explosion. No top-level management official was found on the scene even after 15 minutes of the explosion and the rescuers were fumbling for information but no one was there to guide them. Lack of coordination between rescue teams and security agencies was observed and the way into the hotel was clogged with uprooted trees and debris.Pumps of fire brigade engines were not working, letting the fire leap from room to room, storey to storey. A crane to plant rescuers on top of the building came after one hour but it took at least 30 minutes for the technicians to put it in place. No arrangement for lighting the venue was made by any of the civic service body. The rescuers were lacking rescue equipment like safety nets, first aid kits etc. Most survivors were roaming on roads to take help but no one was there to take care of them. Already under mental and physical trauma, if there could have been a need for soothsayers and sympathizers, it was then. But who cares?
By Atif Khan ISLAMABAD: The deadly attack on Marriott Hotel was an acid test for security agencies and civic services to tackle such tragedies with concerted efforts. Pathetically they have flunked it straightaway. Forensic experts told Daily Times that the blast left a 17-feet deep and 34-feet wide crater. An estimated 112 rooms of the hotel were occupied by guests, locals and foreigners. As the explosive-packed dumper rammed into the entrance gate and exploded, it killed all employees and passers-by present on the spot, according to eyewitness account.Eyewitnesses said most guests were busy breaking fast on Aftar dinner. “I went to bed early as I had to catch a flight tomorrow morning. But then there was a big bang and fire all around,” an employee of the British High Commission told Daily Times. He said he was on second floor at the time of explosion and could manage to escape by escalators only hardly.The forensic experts said it seemed that the dumper was carrying over 1,000 kg of explosives. They said the explosion disrupted electricity and gas pipelines, setting off a huge fire.The blast was so powerful that it completely damaged the cars parked opposite the hotel. It has been learnt that a guard standing near Frontier House died due to impact of the explosion. No top-level management official was found on the scene even after 15 minutes of the explosion and the rescuers were fumbling for information but no one was there to guide them. Lack of coordination between rescue teams and security agencies was observed and the way into the hotel was clogged with uprooted trees and debris.Pumps of fire brigade engines were not working, letting the fire leap from room to room, storey to storey. A crane to plant rescuers on top of the building came after one hour but it took at least 30 minutes for the technicians to put it in place. No arrangement for lighting the venue was made by any of the civic service body. The rescuers were lacking rescue equipment like safety nets, first aid kits etc. Most survivors were roaming on roads to take help but no one was there to take care of them. Already under mental and physical trauma, if there could have been a need for soothsayers and sympathizers, it was then. But who cares?
Comments
Post a Comment