I am very sad to report a terrible tragedy at our Marriott hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan. At approximately 7:00 p.m. local time, a large truck pulled up to the security checkpoint of the heavily guarded hotel and exploded. The huge blast engulfed the front of the hotel and ruptured a gas line, which caused a large fire to break out.
The situation is still unfolding. Right now, we can't confirm the number of people who have died or have been injured, but news reports are numbering it in the dozens, most of them Marriott employees.
This senseless tragedy and the profound loss of life has left me greatly saddened. My heart goes out to those who've been injured and the families of the victims.
We put a very high premium on security at Marriott. In this case, I salute the bravery of the security personnel who were right there when the suicide bomber struck. They had stopped the truck just outside the fortified gate. They were examining it when the bomb detonated. Sadly each member of the team was killed. These guys were defending the lives of hotel guests and their fellow co-workers. They were killed in the line of their duty.
Currently, our associates who escaped serious injury are doing whatever they can to assist with rescue and recovery efforts. The actions of these associates in Islamabad and their desire and willingness to help in a time of such tremendous tragedy are a true testament to Marriott's culture.
I want to thank everyone who has left comments of condolence on my blog.
The situation is still unfolding. Right now, we can't confirm the number of people who have died or have been injured, but news reports are numbering it in the dozens, most of them Marriott employees.
This senseless tragedy and the profound loss of life has left me greatly saddened. My heart goes out to those who've been injured and the families of the victims.
We put a very high premium on security at Marriott. In this case, I salute the bravery of the security personnel who were right there when the suicide bomber struck. They had stopped the truck just outside the fortified gate. They were examining it when the bomb detonated. Sadly each member of the team was killed. These guys were defending the lives of hotel guests and their fellow co-workers. They were killed in the line of their duty.
Currently, our associates who escaped serious injury are doing whatever they can to assist with rescue and recovery efforts. The actions of these associates in Islamabad and their desire and willingness to help in a time of such tremendous tragedy are a true testament to Marriott's culture.
I want to thank everyone who has left comments of condolence on my blog.
Dear Mr. Marriott,
I feel very deep inside with such a sadness, I will prayer for all the lost ones and their families. T
Posted by: Jason Wang | 11/02/2008 at 12:10 AM
Personally, I felt extreme shocked to see this massive incident with my eyes; I worked around 9 years in this great Hospitality Service at Marriott.Hotel as an Employee. I salute and appreciate all Security Officials & Security guards.(Specially ACSO Aamir Wasim, Masoud, Mouneeb, Javed, Yousaf) who sacrificed their most precious lives and fall martyred, at the spot during their duty manners and saved more precious others lives. They protected the Human Lives and whole building. I pray for better Heath and rapid recovery of all injured people. Those who are serious Injured in this incident. Especially Miss Mussart, Irfan, Mubisher, Zaher,Asim Bouncer, and among ,many. I strongly condemn this brutal act. I don't know what drives those murderers in doing such activities but they will not be prevailed. There's too much good in this world and those great people that died there, at work, in the line of duty or simply passing by, are the true expression of that good. I wish that this hospitality service should again start and reach to the maximum level of achievement. Everyone should stand together to fight these kind of immoral acts. We need to face these challenges for the country and its prestigious organizations, who really give great impression to the world.
Best Regard
Shoukat Ali Shah.
Posted by: Shoukat Ali Shah | 10/12/2008 at 09:45 PM
This was less than a month ago and yesterday again two bombing killed at least 10 people, depressing...
My condolences to the families.
Posted by: Fabian Perez | 10/09/2008 at 04:08 PM
Dear Sir, because my job I've many times in Islamabad, and despite the security I still have sometimes a lack of safety feeling. Hope this will change eventually.
My condolence to the families of all those that passed away.
Posted by: Xiamen | 10/08/2008 at 06:11 AM
My heart truly goes out to the victims of this unfortunate tragedy. I had earlier been to this wonderful place during one of my tour of Asian countries.
I just pray to God to give solace to the victims families....
Posted by: FreeWorld Community | 10/07/2008 at 10:23 PM
Dear Bill, December last year i was visiting Islamabad for the coverage of elections, I was staying at another hotel there,visited Marriott for an ivterview of Mr. Rehman Malik(now Security Adviser of new Government). Your courteous & helpful staff at reception there attracted me & i shifted to marriott hotel along with my team we had 05 rooms, stayed there for alost 3 months, since then i m staying at Marriotts all over the world,ur staff wroking there always feel me like i m staying at my home, i know most of ur staff like Ghazala,karim,saqeeb,akil and almost all the bell boys,room service staff,biziness centre staff,many car drivers, i m trying to contact above ppl but can`t.I m otally upset now, i hope i will be able to meet them again, pls Sir rebuild it again,It was an honor for you that your were hosting almost all Kings,Head of Goverment, Head of States from all over the world visiting Pakistan,all conferences,seminars helding there,all most all celberties,stars visiting Islamabd,It was like a Home for ppl repeatedly visitors to Islamabad. are the staff working there going to be Jobless now? or you r going to adjust them some where? I send my heart-felt condolences and prayers for the families who have lost their loved ones. May they rest in peace.i will fly to see the injured ones,if you have adresses of empolyees pls send me.
Posted by: Marrie | 10/02/2008 at 12:54 AM
Dear Sir, I stay over 200 nights per year in your hotels. I can say that all of them make me feel safe and secure. It is a shame that some cowards feel the need to blow up inocent people and establishments for some warped cause. It is unfortunate that Marriott was the establishment that these terrorists chose as the target for their cowardice actions. It is of no reflection of your properties in any way. I hope these murders are caught and severly punished or even more.
Posted by: Edward Swindoll | 09/27/2008 at 03:19 PM
I somehow missed the news of this recent bombing. I just learned about it in the Presidential debates tonight as John McCain brought it up. Mr. Marriott, I have always admired you as a man of great business ethics and the great hotels you and your able associates own and operate. My heart really goes out to you because of this senseless cowardly act and the loss of your brave employees and the way your security guards so honorably gave their lives to save other. May God bless you in your efforts to raise funds and God bless and keep you and your Marriott business that has done so much good and gave people such wonderful accommodations.
Posted by: happypappy | 09/26/2008 at 03:05 PM
I am very saddened to hear of this senseless attack. I am so sorry for the loss of your staff members who were there simply doing their jobs. What a cowardly act by these terrorists. I send my heart-felt condolences and prayers for the families who have lost their loved ones. May they rest in peace.
Posted by: Cari | 09/25/2008 at 05:06 AM
It is a very sad and unfortunate tragedy- Though I am residing in the US , my heart is still Pakistani and I pray for all those that passed away as well as for their families.
May God bless them all. Amin.
Posted by: mona | 09/24/2008 at 09:19 AM
My heart goes out to all of you at Marriott Hotels & Resorts as well as the families who mourn thier loved oned.
Posted by: Judy | 09/24/2008 at 06:47 AM
My condolences to all, great to see a donation system set up.
Hope Marriott is not going to take its name away from the landmark building when it is ready for business agian in a few months?
Posted by: Asim Hussain | 09/24/2008 at 04:39 AM
What a tragedy...mourning is loving commemoration...
Posted by: Ulrike | 09/24/2008 at 03:44 AM
Unbelievable. Rest In Peace to all lost.
Posted by: Nick | 09/23/2008 at 11:41 AM
Sad and scary.
Posted by: Shyam | 09/23/2008 at 11:32 AM
I like many add my words and depth of loss to our collective response. Thank you brave people who stood in front of death and perished protecting those we love.
Posted by: GJames | 09/23/2008 at 11:04 AM
Dear Mr. Marriott
I would like to express my deepest sympathy following the recent tragic event at your hotel in Pakistan. My thoughs and prayers are with you and all the families who have been affected. Suthanda Atthoroj Thai in IRELAND.
Posted by: Suthanda Atthoroj | 09/23/2008 at 10:44 AM
What an unfathomable tragedy. God's blessings on the families of the victims. Inshallah the perpetrators will be brought to justice.
Posted by: Chris | 09/23/2008 at 10:13 AM
My heartiest sympathies to concerned families, especially of 2 US soldiers who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Posted by: CrossT | 09/23/2008 at 09:34 AM
It was the Best hotel in Pakistan. It will come up again.
Posted by: Nadeem | 09/23/2008 at 09:26 AM
My prayers to the families of those killed by these murderers. We must not capitulate, but defeat and eliminate them wherever these cowards may hide.
Posted by: Eyal | 09/23/2008 at 08:23 AM
From El Salvador Central America we send to you and people who worked and guest from Marriott pakistan hotel our condolense and we pray to have a better place to live in the future because violence is not the correct way to make country, Sincerlly
Karla Ventura
Posted by: Karla Maria Romero de Ventura | 09/23/2008 at 08:03 AM
My deepest sympathies to the families who have lost loved ones. Are you planning to set up a fund for the families of your employess who died in the fire as I wish to contribute to any scheme which can pass on my donation to the familes.
Thank you,
Osaf Ahmed
Birmingham
UK
Posted by: osaf ahmed | 09/23/2008 at 07:07 AM
Dear Mr. Marriott:
I wish all the best for your associates in Pakistan as well for your company.
My wife works for Marriott here in Brazil and i follow her concerns.
As a Marriott associate I seen in her the Spirit of Serve , and I can tell you that you , Sir , should be proud of your company and yours associates
Posted by: Fredy Gottesmann | 09/23/2008 at 06:18 AM
Hey Bill,
This is such a tragedy that I am still upset about what happened. My deepest sympathies to you, Marriott, your employees and contractors and other innocent victims killed by this cowardly act of terrorism.
Posted by: Louis Yun | 09/23/2008 at 04:58 AM