The targeted mosque in Peshawar, Pakistan was hit by a suicide bomber on Monday, Jan. 30. The explosion resulted in the deaths of at least 20 people and injuries to as many as 96 worshippers, as confirmed by officials.
The blast occurred while approximately 150 worshipers were praying inside, when the suicide bomber activated his vest.
Zafar Khan, a local police officer, reported that the force of the explosion caused the mosque’s roof to collapse, leading to numerous injuries among the worshippers.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far, although Saddique Khan, a senior police official in Peshawar, mentioned that the Pakistani Taliban have been implicated in similar suicide assaults in the past.
One survivor, Meena Gul, a 38-year-old police officer, recounted being inside the mosque at the time of the explosion and expressed astonishment at escaping unscathed. He also recalled the harrowing sounds of cries and screams following the blast.
As rescue efforts continued, worshipers remained trapped under the rubble, with rescuers striving to clear the debris and free them.
Several of the injured individuals were in critical condition in the hospital, raising concerns about a potential increase in the death toll.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif issued a condemnation of the attack in a statement, urging the authorities to ensure that the victims receive the best available medical treatment. He also pledged to take “stern action” against those responsible for the attack.
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