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Kabul bomb: Diplomatic zone attack kills dozens | Kabul bomb: Diplomatic zone attack kills dozens |
(35 minutes later) | |
A powerful vehicle bomb has hit the diplomatic area of the Afghan capital, Kabul, killing at least 80 people and injuring 350. | A powerful vehicle bomb has hit the diplomatic area of the Afghan capital, Kabul, killing at least 80 people and injuring 350. |
It struck near Zanbaq Square in the heavily fortified zone, with civilians said to be the main casualties. | It struck near Zanbaq Square in the heavily fortified zone, with civilians said to be the main casualties. |
The morning rush-hour blast was so strong it blew out windows and doors hundreds of metres away. | The morning rush-hour blast was so strong it blew out windows and doors hundreds of metres away. |
The Taliban have denied carrying out the attack. There has been no word so far from so-called Islamic State. | |
Both groups have been behind recent attacks in the country. | Both groups have been behind recent attacks in the country. |
The BBC has said that Mohammed Nazir, a driver for the corporation's Afghan service, died in the explosion. | The BBC has said that Mohammed Nazir, a driver for the corporation's Afghan service, died in the explosion. |
When and where did the attack take place? | When and where did the attack take place? |
The bomb went off at about 08:25 local time (03:55 GMT) during rush hour at the diplomatic quarter. | The bomb went off at about 08:25 local time (03:55 GMT) during rush hour at the diplomatic quarter. |
Makeshift ambulances carried wounded away from the scene, as frantic relatives gathered both at the cordoned-off perimeter of the blast site and later at hospitals to try to locate loved ones. | Makeshift ambulances carried wounded away from the scene, as frantic relatives gathered both at the cordoned-off perimeter of the blast site and later at hospitals to try to locate loved ones. |
Images showed dozens of blackened and burned out cars. More than 50 vehicles were destroyed. | Images showed dozens of blackened and burned out cars. More than 50 vehicles were destroyed. |
Basir Mujahid a spokesman for Kabul police, told Reuters news agency the explosion had taken place close to the German embassy but added it was "hard to say what the exact target is". | Basir Mujahid a spokesman for Kabul police, told Reuters news agency the explosion had taken place close to the German embassy but added it was "hard to say what the exact target is". |
There are many other key buildings in the area, including the presidential palace and a number of embassies, including the British. | There are many other key buildings in the area, including the presidential palace and a number of embassies, including the British. |
Some reports say the bomb was in a lorry or water tanker. | Some reports say the bomb was in a lorry or water tanker. |
The BBC's Harun Najafizada in Kabul says questions are already being asked about how the vehicle could have penetrated such a heavily fortified area, with its 3m (10ft) high blast walls, to carry out the deadliest attack in the capital in years. | The BBC's Harun Najafizada in Kabul says questions are already being asked about how the vehicle could have penetrated such a heavily fortified area, with its 3m (10ft) high blast walls, to carry out the deadliest attack in the capital in years. |
Who were the casualties? | Who were the casualties? |
Initial reports suggest civilians bore the brunt of the casualties. | Initial reports suggest civilians bore the brunt of the casualties. |
The health ministry said the casualty figures were expected to rise further. | The health ministry said the casualty figures were expected to rise further. |
Spokesman Ismael Kawoosi said: "They are still bringing bodies and wounded people to hospitals." | Spokesman Ismael Kawoosi said: "They are still bringing bodies and wounded people to hospitals." |
The interior ministry has called on residents to donate blood, saying there was a "dire need". | The interior ministry has called on residents to donate blood, saying there was a "dire need". |
One local shop owner, Sayed Rahman, told Reuters his store was badly damaged, adding: "I have never seen such a terrible explosion in my life." | One local shop owner, Sayed Rahman, told Reuters his store was badly damaged, adding: "I have never seen such a terrible explosion in my life." |
Another resident, Abdul Wahid, told the BBC the blast "was like a heavy earthquake". | Another resident, Abdul Wahid, told the BBC the blast "was like a heavy earthquake". |
Several international and local sources have been reporting on casualties: | Several international and local sources have been reporting on casualties: |
What has the reaction been? | What has the reaction been? |
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said he "strongly condemned the cowardly attack in the holy month of Ramadan targeting innocent civilians in their daily life". | Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said he "strongly condemned the cowardly attack in the holy month of Ramadan targeting innocent civilians in their daily life". |
Germany's Sigmar Gabriel called the attack "contemptible". | Germany's Sigmar Gabriel called the attack "contemptible". |
Indian PM Narendra Modi also tweeted his condemnation, saying: "Our thoughts are with the families of the deceased & prayers with the injured." | Indian PM Narendra Modi also tweeted his condemnation, saying: "Our thoughts are with the families of the deceased & prayers with the injured." |
A Pakistani Foreign Office statement denounced the attack, saying: "Pakistan, being a victim of terrorism, understands the pain and agony that such incidents inflict upon people and society." | A Pakistani Foreign Office statement denounced the attack, saying: "Pakistan, being a victim of terrorism, understands the pain and agony that such incidents inflict upon people and society." |
Who could have been behind the attack? | Who could have been behind the attack? |
The Taliban and the so-called Islamic State in Afghanistan are the main suspects. | The Taliban and the so-called Islamic State in Afghanistan are the main suspects. |
However, the Taliban quickly issued a statement denying involvement. | However, the Taliban quickly issued a statement denying involvement. |
Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the group condemned untargeted attacks that caused civilian casualties. | Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the group condemned untargeted attacks that caused civilian casualties. |
Afghanistan's IS said it was behind a suicide bomb attack this month on a Nato convoy that was passing the US embassy in Kabul. At least eight civilians were killed. | Afghanistan's IS said it was behind a suicide bomb attack this month on a Nato convoy that was passing the US embassy in Kabul. At least eight civilians were killed. |
It has made no comment so far on the latest attack. | It has made no comment so far on the latest attack. |
When announcing the start of their major spring offensive last month, the Taliban said their main focus would be foreign forces, targeting them with a mix of conventional, guerrilla, insider and suicide attacks. | When announcing the start of their major spring offensive last month, the Taliban said their main focus would be foreign forces, targeting them with a mix of conventional, guerrilla, insider and suicide attacks. |
The US has about 8,400 troops in Afghanistan, with another 5,000 from Nato allies. | The US has about 8,400 troops in Afghanistan, with another 5,000 from Nato allies. |
The Pentagon has reportedly pressed President Donald Trump to send thousands more troops back to the country to try to counter gains by the Taliban. More than a third of the country is now said to be outside Afghan government control. | The Pentagon has reportedly pressed President Donald Trump to send thousands more troops back to the country to try to counter gains by the Taliban. More than a third of the country is now said to be outside Afghan government control. |
A Taliban attack on an Afghan army training compound in the northern city of Mazar-e Sharif last month killed at least 135 soldiers, and led to the resignation of the defence minister and army chief of staff. | A Taliban attack on an Afghan army training compound in the northern city of Mazar-e Sharif last month killed at least 135 soldiers, and led to the resignation of the defence minister and army chief of staff. |
Major recent Kabul attacks | Major recent Kabul attacks |
Are you in Kabul? What are conditions like at the moment? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. | Are you in Kabul? What are conditions like at the moment? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |