Peshawar Market Car Bomb Kills Many in Pakistan

Buildings were set on fire after the blast and plumes of smoke were seen drifting over the north-western city Peshawar. Photo by BGNES

At least 91 people have been killed and scores hurt by a large car bomb in a market in Peshawar, Pakistan.

Buildings were set on fire after the blast and plumes of smoke were seen drifting over the north-western city, the BBC reported.

Similar attacks have killed more than 200 people in recent weeks, as the army carries out an operation against Taliban militants in South Waziristan.

The blast comes as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton begins a visit to the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.

Pakistani television showed footage of burning shops in the Peepal Mandi area of Peshawar and crowds digging through rubble to rescue people.

The market mostly sells products for women, and most of the dead were reported to be women.