Current:Home > MyDeath toll rises to 54 after blast at Pakistan political gathering-LoTradeCoin
Death toll rises to 54 after blast at Pakistan political gathering
View Date:2024-12-23 19:03:08
LONDON -- The death toll after an apparent suicide bombing in Pakistan has risen to 54, officials said on Monday.
No organization has yet taken responsibility for blast, which injured dozens of others when it rocked a political rally in the country's northwest, local officials said.
"Those responsible will be identified and punished," Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in a statement in Urdu. "The Pakistani nation, law enforcement agencies and our protectors will never allow such cowardly tactics of the enemy to succeed."
Counter-terrorism officers who were investigating the blast said they suspected the Islamic State group may have been behind it, police said in a statement.
MORE: What's fueling the Pakistani migrant exodus that ended in tragedy near Greece
The event had been put on by one of the leading Islamic parties, the conservative Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, in northwestern Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Funerals were underway for the victims on Monday, the party said in a series of posts on social media. "Every eye was full of tears, every face was mournful," said one message, which was posted alongside a video of a swarm of people carrying and praying over caskets.
"May Allah accept the martyrdom of the martyrs and grant patience to their families and give complete healing to the injured," Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman, the party's leader, said in a statement.
President Arif Alvi "expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives" in the blast, his office said in a statement.
Police had said on Sunday that at least 44 people were killed and more than 100 others were wounded.
ABC News' Joes Simonetti and Edward Szekeres contributed to this story.
veryGood! (2)
Related
- The View's Sara Haines Walks Off After Whoopi Goldberg's NSFW Confession
- You Probably Missed This Sighting of Ariana Grande and Ethan Slater Together
- Miranda Lambert Responds to Fan's Shoot Tequila, Not Selfies T-Shirt at Concert
- Melanie Lynskey and More Stars Who Just Missed Out on Huge Roles
- School workers accused of giving special needs student with digestive issue hot Takis, other abuse
- Sheryl Crow Slams Jason Aldean for Promoting Violence With New Song
- Sister Wives' Christine Brown Shares Engagement Photos With Her True Love David Woolley
- Seaside North Carolina town overrun with hundreds of non-native ducks
- Wisconsin authorities believe kayaker staged his disappearance and fled to Europe
- As Texas Cranks Up the AC, Congested Transmission Lines Cause Renewable Power to Go to Waste
Ranking
- Joey Logano wins Phoenix finale for 3rd NASCAR Cup championship in 1-2 finish for Team Penske
- Chicago Mayor Receives Blueprint for ’Green New Deal’ to Address Environmental Justice
- Q&A: Kate Beaton Describes the Toll Taken by Alberta’s Oil Sands on Wildlife and the Workers Who Mine the Viscous Crude
- Megan Fox Caught in Middle of Scuffle After Man Attempts to Punch Machine Gun Kelly
- Too Hot to Handle’s Francesca Farago Gives Birth, Welcomes Twins With Jesse Sullivan
- Black Friday Price in July: Save $195 on a Margaritaville Bali Frozen Concoction Maker
- This Under Eye Mask Is Like an Energy Drink for Your Skin and It’s 45% Off Right Now
- South Korea Emerges As Key Partner for America’s Energy Transition
Recommendation
-
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, 4G
-
This $30 Deal on an $80 Soniclean Electric Toothbrush Will Give You Reasons To Smile
-
June Extremes Suggest Parts of the Climate System Are Reaching Tipping Points
-
Nordstrom Clear the Rack Last Day to Shop: Jaw-Dropping Deals Including $3 Swimsuits
-
Deion Sanders doubles down on vow to 99-year-old Colorado superfan
-
Get $173 Worth of Peter Thomas Roth Top-Selling Skincare Products for Just $53
-
Carlee Russell Searched For Taken, Amber Alert Before Disappearance, Police Say
-
Jason Aldean Responds to “Pro-Lynching” Accusations in Song “Try That In a Small Town”