This article is from the source 'bbc' 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 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-40102903

The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Kabul blast: Dozens of casualties in Afghan capital Kabul blast: Dozens of casualties in Afghan capital
(35 minutes later)
A huge explosion has hit the Afghan capital, Kabul, close to foreign embassies and the presidential palace.A huge explosion has hit the Afghan capital, Kabul, close to foreign embassies and the presidential palace.
Afghan officials have reported at least 60 casualties, but expect that figure to rise. The latest figures from the Afghan health ministry say at least nine people have been killed and 84 injured.
Early reports say the blast was caused by a car bomb in central Zanbaq Square and that properties hundreds of metres away were damaged by its force. Early reports say the blast was caused by a vehicle bomb in central Zanbaq Square, with windows and doors blown out hundreds of metres away.
Images on social media show a large cloud of black smoke over the city and a series of destroyed vehicles.Images on social media show a large cloud of black smoke over the city and a series of destroyed vehicles.
BBC Persian's Harun Nazafijada, in Kabul, describes a chaotic scene with multiple injuries and people being transferred to hospital. The BBC's Harun Nazafijada in Kabul describes a chaotic scene with people being transferred to hospital.
He says the central blast area has been cordoned off by police. The central blast area has been cordoned off by police.
Our correspondent says that the burnt-out cars in the area are one indication of the blast's force. Images of shattered glass carpeting a large area of the square are also being shared widely on social media. Our correspondent says burnt-out cars are one indication of the blast's force. Images of shattered glass carpeting a large area of the square are also being shared widely on social media.
The precise target of the attack remains unclear, although it hit Kabul's diplomatic and government district. Basir Mujahid a spokesman for Kabul police, told Reuters news agency: "It was a car bomb near the German embassy, but there are several other important compounds and offices near there too. It is hard to say what the exact target is."
Afghanistan's Tolo news said the explosion was close to the German embassy. No group has yet said it carried out Wednesday's attack, but last month the Taliban announced the start of a major spring offensive, saying their main focus would be foreign forces, targeting them with a mix of conventional, guerrilla, insider and suicide attacks.
There have been sporadic deadly attacks on Kabul in recent months, all of which have highlighted the worsening security situation across Afghanistan. The US has about 8,400 troops in Afghanistan, with another 5,000 from Nato allies.
Earlier this month, at least eight civilians were killed in a suicide bomb attack on a Nato convoy as it was passing the US embassy. A recent Taliban attack on an Afghan army training compound in the northern city of Mazar-e Sharif killed at least 135 soldiers, and led to the resignation of the defence minister and army chief of staff.
The so-called Islamic State in Afghanistan said they were behind that attack, but no group has said it carried out the latest explosion. The so-called Islamic State in Afghanistan has also been active, saying 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.
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:
Or use the form below