Latest update: 01/10/2008 

- Islamabad - Pakistan


Inside the Islamabad Marriott Hotel
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Eight minutes after the blast in front of the Marriott Hotel in the heart of Islamabad, Matthieu Mabin went inside the devastated building to witness the disaster. An exclusive report.

It is eight minutes past eight o'clock on September 20th in Islamabad. Eight minutes ago, a suicide truck loaded with 600 kilos of explosives hit the luxurious Marriott Hotel. The hotel is totally destroyed and a fire is starting in the left wing of the building. The crater, 20 meters across, is witness to the power of the detonation. Inside, no emergency services, just these people: a cook, a waiter and a receptionist. We decided to follow them. Our camera was the only to go inside the hotel. We realise they are the last chance for survivors trapped upstairs. In the Islamabad Marriott, there are no stairs for the guests, only lifts destroyed by the explosion.

 

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