US diplomat among four dead in Pakistan bombing

A car bombing possibly launched by a suicide attacker killed four people, including an American diplomat, and wounded 49 outside the US consulate and a luxury hotel in Karachi today.

The attack came two days before a visit to Pakistan by US President George Bush.

The blast ripped through the car park of the Marriott Hotel, about 20 yards from the consulate gate, shattering windows at the consulate and on all 10 floors of the hotel.

Ten cars were destroyed, casting flames and clouds of thick black smoke over the scene.

Speaking in neighbouring India, Bush said an American foreign service officer was killed in the bombing.

“We have lost at least one US citizen in the bombing, a foreign service officer, and I send our country's deepest condolences to that person’s loved ones and family,” Bush said.