Security personnel and volunteers arrive at the site of an explosion in Quetta on Wednesday night. AFP

A powerful bomb exploded in the parking area of a luxury hotel in the southwestern Pakistani city of Quetta on Wednesday, killing at least four people and wounding at least nine others, police said.

It was unclear who was behind the bombing at the Serena Hotel. Police said rescuers transported victims to nearby hospitals. Footage on Pakistan news channels showed burning cars.

Liaquat Shahwani, a provincial government spokesman, called the bombing an act of terrorism without elaborating. "Enemies of Pakistan are behind today’s attack,” he said.

Volunteers search for victims next to burning vehicles at the site of an explosion in Quetta. AFP

Security forces were rushing to the hotel and no one was being allowed to go near the site of the blast. According to senior police official Azhar Akram, some of the wounded were listed in critical condition. He provided no further details, saying police were still investigating.

Wasim Beg, a spokesperson at the provincial health department, said four people died and 12 were wounded in the bombing.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack in Quetta.

Associated Press