Pakistan bus blast kills 13, including 9 Chinese nationals: What you need to know

Picture courtesy : Dawn

· At least 13 people have been reported dead and several others injured in a blast on a bus travelling through northern Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Wednesday.

· The explosion has resulted in the death of at least 9 Chinese nationals and two Pakistani soldiers who were reportedly present on the bus.

· While Pakistani officials said the nature of the blast was under investigation, the Chinese embassy in Islamabad said its nationals had come under "attack".

· The bus was carrying Chinese engineers, surveyors and mechanical staff to the Dasu dam construction site, a police officer said. He said, "the blast sparked a fire in the engine plunging the vehicle into a ravine". He said a further 28 Chinese nationals were injured.

· The security of Chinese workers has long been an issue of concern in Pakistan. A large number of them are based in the country to supervises and build infrastructure projects.

· In April, the Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for a deadly suicide blast at a luxury hotel hosting the Chinese ambassador, who was unhurt, in southwest Balochistan.

· China urged Chinese firms to strengthen their security procedures.