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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 close to the German embassy in Zanbaq Square, with civilians said to be the main casualties.It 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 morning rush-hour blast was 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. The Taliban have denied they carried 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.
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 rush hour in the diplomatic quarter.
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 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.
Questions will surely be asked about how an attack could target such a heavily fortified area. 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 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, 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."
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 government spokesman Feroz Bashari condemned the attack, saying: "Today the enemies of Afghanistan once again showed their brutality by killing and wounding civilians. The enemy has no mercy on civilians." Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said he "strongly condemned the cowardly attack in the holy month of Ramadan targeting innocent civilians in their daily life".
Indian PM Narendra Modi tweeted: "We strongly condemn the terrorist blast in Kabul. Our thoughts are with the families of the deceased & prayers with the injured." 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."
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. The Taliban and the so-called Islamic State in Afghanistan are the main suspects.
However, the Taliban quickly issued a statement denying involvement.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Major recent Kabul attacksMajor recent Kabul attacks
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