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Kabul bomb: Dozens killed in Afghan capital's diplomatic zone | Kabul bomb: Dozens killed in Afghan capital's diplomatic zone |
(35 minutes later) | |
A powerful vehicle bomb has struck the diplomatic area of the Afghan capital, Kabul, killing at least 80 people and injuring 350. | |
The blast struck close to the German embassy in Zanbaq Square with civilians said to be the main casualties. | The blast struck close to the German embassy in Zanbaq Square with civilians said to be the main casualties. |
The wounded staggered from the site of a blast so strong it blew out windows and doors hundreds of metres away. | The wounded staggered from the site of a blast so strong it blew out windows and doors hundreds of metres away. |
No group has yet said it carried out the bombing but the Taliban and IS have both been behind recent attacks. | No group has yet said it carried out the bombing but the Taliban and IS have both been behind recent attacks. |
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 the rush hour in the Afghan capital. | The bomb went off at about 08:25 local time (03:55 GMT) during the rush hour in the Afghan capital. |
Makeshift ambulances carried wounded away from the scene as frantic relatives gathered at the cordoned-off perimeter of the blast site. | Makeshift ambulances carried wounded away from the scene as frantic relatives gathered at the cordoned-off perimeter of the blast site. |
Images showed dozens of blackened and burned out cars. | Images showed dozens of blackened and burned out cars. |
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. |
Questions will surely be asked about how an attack could target such a heavily fortified area. | Questions will surely be asked about how an attack could target such a heavily fortified area. |
The zone is considered the safest in the capital, with 3m (10ft) high blast walls. | The zone is considered the safest in the capital, with 3m (10ft) high blast walls. |
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. | The interior ministry has called on residents to donate blood. |
A German security source said it was unclear whether any of Germany's embassy staff had been killed or injured. | A German security source said it was unclear whether any of Germany's embassy staff had been killed or injured. |
French officials said the country's embassy had been damaged, along with the German embassy, but there were no signs at this stage of any French casualties. | French officials said the country's embassy had been damaged, along with the German embassy, but there were no signs at this stage of any French casualties. |
India's Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj said the staff of its embassy, close to the blast, were safe. | India's Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj said the staff of its embassy, close to the blast, were safe. |
Two Japanese embassy staff members were slightly wounded. | |
A journalist for Afghanistan's Tolo news agency said some of the victims were from the Roshan mobile phone company, but this has not been confirmed. | A journalist for Afghanistan's Tolo news agency said some of the victims were from the Roshan mobile phone company, but this has not been confirmed. |
Who could have been behind the attack? | Who could have been behind the attack? |
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. | 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. |
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. | |
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. | 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 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. | 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. | 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 |