ISLAMABAD, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- The five-star Marriott hotel in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad Sunday partially started services 98 days after it was destroyed in a suicide truck bombing that killed around 60 people.
The attacker rammed a truck containing 600 kgs of high explosives into the outer gates of the hotel on Sept. 20, causing fire on the whole building.
The new wall of the hotel, with 3.5 meters high and 4.5 meters thick, is capable of absorbing the shock of even a massive explosion like the one in September, said chief operating officer Peter Alex.
Visitors will have to pass through a bombproof room within the wall in order to gain access to the hotel, which will feature sophisticated scanning equipment, he said.
There will be, however, no parking in front of the hotel as before the bombing. Even vehicles ferrying VIPs to the Marriott will have to deposit guests at the front gate and drive on.
The hotel is due to be fully operational in March, when all 289rooms will be available to guests.
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