Three killed, several injured in blast near Quetta’s Serena Chowk

At least three people have been killed and 13 others injured in an explosion in the parking lot of the private Hotel in Balochistan's capital Quetta, officials said.

The nature of the blast has not been ascertained as yet.

Fire and rescue officials have reached the site of the explosion, which took place around 10:30pm on Wednesday.

Quetta Civil Hospital Medical Superintendent Arbab Kamran Kasi confirmed the number of dead and injured, saying two people were in critical condition.

Balochistan Inspector General of Police Tahir Rai confirmed that the explosion occurred in the parking lot of Serena Hotel.

He added that the hotel premises has been cordoned off and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) has been deployed to investigate the incident.

Footage shared from the scene showed huge flames and smoke plumes rising into the sky.

"The Quetta Serena Hotel is the only four-star deluxe hotel in the city of Quetta," according to the hotel's website. It is located on the Shahrah-e-Zarghun Road.

Last week, at least 12 people were injured in an explosion during a football tournament being held at a ground in Allahbad Town located in Balochistan's industrial town of Hub.

The tournament was dedicated to police martyrs. "The explosion occurred while the final match was being played," Lasbela SSP Tariq Ilahi had said.

There has been an uptick in violence in Balochistan, with several incidents of terrorism being reported last year.