At least 78 dead in Pakistan church suicide bomb attack

Two bombers blew themselves up outside the church in the Pakistan city of Peshawar, security officials said.

After the service ended, people started to come out and the suicide bomber rushed towards them. Najeeb Bogvi, police officer

Pakistan’s interior ministry said the death toll from the attack was 78, including seven children and 34 women.

Police has earlier said the death toll included four children, six women and two policemen, and was likely to rise. Around 100 people were injured.

At least 400 parishioners were inside the church at the time of the attack.

‘Blood and screaming’

“After the service ended, people started to come out and the suicide bomber rushed towards them,” said Najeeb Bogvi, a senior police officer.

“There were blasts and there was hell for all of us,” said Nazir John, who was at the church. “When I got my senses back, I found nothing but smoke, dust, blood and screaming people. I saw severed body parts and blood all around.”

The attack is the deadliest act of sectarian violence since Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was sworn in, in June.

Mr Sharif has been calling for peace talks with militants, but these efforts have been undermined by attacks on minority groups and on security forces.

Christians make up around 4 per cent of Pakistan’s 180 million population. Following the attack, some residents took to the streets to protest the violence by burning tyres.