This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/news/354099-kabul-city-rocked-explosion/
The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Massive truck bomb hits ‘foreign hotel’ in Kabul, gunfight ongoing – reports | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A large explosion took place in the Afghan capital of Kabul early on Monday, reportedly knocking out the city’s electricity. Local reporters claimed a truck bomb was involved, while noting that there was ongoing attack on a hotel. | A large explosion took place in the Afghan capital of Kabul early on Monday, reportedly knocking out the city’s electricity. Local reporters claimed a truck bomb was involved, while noting that there was ongoing attack on a hotel. |
| The blast occurred in the middle of the night, at around 1:30 am local time. Some witnesses on Twitter claimed that the electricity had actually gone off in Kabul shortly before, and not after, the explosion. | The blast occurred in the middle of the night, at around 1:30 am local time. Some witnesses on Twitter claimed that the electricity had actually gone off in Kabul shortly before, and not after, the explosion. |
| The blast has been described on Twitter as being so loud that it woke up people “all over the city.” | The blast has been described on Twitter as being so loud that it woke up people “all over the city.” |
| Local journalist Abdul Farid Ahmad tweeted that police vehicles have been heading to the site of the alleged explosion, while noting that power has been restored. | Local journalist Abdul Farid Ahmad tweeted that police vehicles have been heading to the site of the alleged explosion, while noting that power has been restored. |
| Conflicting reports have emerged about what triggered the blast. | Conflicting reports have emerged about what triggered the blast. |
| A “truck bomb” struck “a foreign guesthouse,” reported Lotfullah Najafizada, head of Kabul-based TOLOnews TV broadcaster, citing security sources. He added that “four attackers” are trying to enter the building. | A “truck bomb” struck “a foreign guesthouse,” reported Lotfullah Najafizada, head of Kabul-based TOLOnews TV broadcaster, citing security sources. He added that “four attackers” are trying to enter the building. |
| Earlier, Najafizada noted that large gas storage facility is located near the blast site in the Pul-e Charkhi area. | Earlier, Najafizada noted that large gas storage facility is located near the blast site in the Pul-e Charkhi area. |
| “A truck full of explosives exploded near the entrance of Northgate [hotel],” reported Bilal Sarwary, another local journalist, citing police, adding that there were reportedly four attackers involved. | “A truck full of explosives exploded near the entrance of Northgate [hotel],” reported Bilal Sarwary, another local journalist, citing police, adding that there were reportedly four attackers involved. |
| “Fighting is heard” in the proximity of the site, he added. | “Fighting is heard” in the proximity of the site, he added. |
| The hotel that was allegedly attacked is located on Jalalabad Road, TOLO news reported. The sound of sirens, “mainly from foreign embassies,” was heard in the city following the blast. | The hotel that was allegedly attacked is located on Jalalabad Road, TOLO news reported. The sound of sirens, “mainly from foreign embassies,” was heard in the city following the blast. |
| The Taliban has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack, TOLO news reported. The terrorists allegedly explained that they had targeted the hotel because it is a foreign luxury site located away from civilian homes. | |
| On its official website, Northgate Hotel, which is operated by the Gate of the North Limited company, brands itself a “secure hotel based in Kabul.” Apart from providing 24-hour hotel services, the company says it is involved in the construction and logistics sectors. | |
| “Northgate Hotel Security is modeled to military standards implemented by a Private Security Company managed by a highly trained and experienced western force,” the company states. | |
| Local security forces have put the area on lockdown and are reportedly fighting several attackers on the ground, Sarwary reported, citing a police officer at the site, who said that “sporadic gunfire can be heard every 10-15 minutes.” | |
| Meanwhile, Reuters cited a security official as saying that the truck bomb targeted a “compound for foreign military, logistics services.” Several journalists reporting on the blast claimed Camp North Gate was under attack.Camp North Gate is located some 40 kilometers from Bagram Air Base and had previously been attacked by the Taliban in 2013. All of the gunmen and several Nepali and Afghan security guards died in that attack. | |
| DETAILS TO FOLLOW | DETAILS TO FOLLOW |