KARACHI, Pakistan — Two car bombs exploded today outside the U.S. Consulate and a luxury hotel in Pakistan's largest city, killing four people and wounding 49 just days ahead of a visit to Pakistan by President Bush, police said.
The bombs ripped through vehicles in the parking lot of the Marriott Hotel in Karachi, about 20 yards from the consulate gate, police official Mushtaq Shah said.
The explosions shattered windows at the consulate, the hotel and other nearby buildings and destroyed at least 10 cars, sending flames and clouds of thick, black smoke over the scene. The street was strewn with mangled car parts.
Four people were killed, including a paramilitary soldier on security duty, and 49 were injured, said Sanaullah Abbasi, another police official.
None of the hurt was linked to the consulate, said a third police official, Mohammed Arif.
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There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
The bombings came two days before Bush was to visit the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, for talks on the fight against al-Qaida and loyalists of Afghanistan's former Taliban regime.
