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| Kabul blast: At least 80 killed & over 350 wounded in explosion in Afghan capital’s embassy district | Kabul blast: At least 80 killed & over 350 wounded in explosion in Afghan capital’s embassy district |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| At least 80 people have been killed and over 350 injured in a powerful car bomb blast that ripped through a diplomatic district in Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, an Afghan health official has said, as cited by Reuters. | At least 80 people have been killed and over 350 injured in a powerful car bomb blast that ripped through a diplomatic district in Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, an Afghan health official has said, as cited by Reuters. |
| However, the Afghan Interior Ministry said 64 people were killed, according to AFP. | However, the Afghan Interior Ministry said 64 people were killed, according to AFP. |
| The death toll is likely to rise, local officials said. | The death toll is likely to rise, local officials said. |
| “They are still bringing bodies and wounded people to hospitals,” senior Health Ministry spokesman Ismael Kawoosi told AFP. Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry has asked Kabul residents to donate blood, saying hospitals are in “dire need.” | “They are still bringing bodies and wounded people to hospitals,” senior Health Ministry spokesman Ismael Kawoosi told AFP. Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry has asked Kabul residents to donate blood, saying hospitals are in “dire need.” |
| The blast is believed to have come from a car bomb. The precise target was not immediately clear, but many embassies and government buildings are located in the area. | The blast is believed to have come from a car bomb. The precise target was not immediately clear, but many embassies and government buildings are located in the area. |
| Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani condemned the devastating attack, which happened just days into the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. In a statement quoted by Reuters, Ghani said “the terrorists, even in the holy month of Ramadan, the month of goodness, blessing and prayer, are not stopping the killing of our innocent people.” | |
| The blast struck at around 8:30am local time Wednesday. | The blast struck at around 8:30am local time Wednesday. |
| Several hours after the attack, AFP reported that ambulances were still taking the wounded to hospital and rescuers were retrieving bodies from the rubble while firefighters struggle to extinguish flames in adjacent buildings. | Several hours after the attack, AFP reported that ambulances were still taking the wounded to hospital and rescuers were retrieving bodies from the rubble while firefighters struggle to extinguish flames in adjacent buildings. |
| Despite the high death toll among local residents, the foreign embassies have not reported any victims. The Indian embassy has said its staff is safe, though the building was damaged in the blast. Two employees of the Japanese embassy were mildly injured, suffering cuts, according to AFP. | Despite the high death toll among local residents, the foreign embassies have not reported any victims. The Indian embassy has said its staff is safe, though the building was damaged in the blast. Two employees of the Japanese embassy were mildly injured, suffering cuts, according to AFP. |
| The powerful blast destroyed more than 50 vehicles in the area, Pajhwok News reports. | The powerful blast destroyed more than 50 vehicles in the area, Pajhwok News reports. |
| Most victims are thought to be civilians, including employees of a local mobile phone company, Roshan, according to TOLO News. | Most victims are thought to be civilians, including employees of a local mobile phone company, Roshan, according to TOLO News. |
| Basir Mujahid, a spokesman for Kabul police, said the explosion was caused by a car bomb. | Basir Mujahid, a spokesman for Kabul police, said the explosion was caused by a car bomb. |
| "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," Mujahid said, as cited by Reuters. | "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," Mujahid said, as cited by Reuters. |
| Eyewitnesses on social media said the blast was so strong it shattered all windows in nearby buildings. Some doors were also torn off their hinges, Reuters reported. | Eyewitnesses on social media said the blast was so strong it shattered all windows in nearby buildings. Some doors were also torn off their hinges, Reuters reported. |
| Photos posted on Twitter showed a thick pillar of smoke rising from the site of the explosion. | Photos posted on Twitter showed a thick pillar of smoke rising from the site of the explosion. |
| The German Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying that a local security officer guarding the embassy premises has been killed in the blast. Though several embassy workers were injured, all employees are now safe. | |
| The car bomb went off in the close proximity to the diplomatic mission, the ministry said, adding that it targeted people who “worked for the better future of their country.” | |
| In the meantime, France’s foreign minister, Marielle de Sarnez, said the French embassy in Kabul has been damaged, but there are “no signs” at this stage indicating that there were victims among the employees. | In the meantime, France’s foreign minister, Marielle de Sarnez, said the French embassy in Kabul has been damaged, but there are “no signs” at this stage indicating that there were victims among the employees. |
| The Indian Embassy reported damage to its facilities but no casualties. | The Indian Embassy reported damage to its facilities but no casualties. |
| Several journalists tweeted that their offices were damaged in the blast, including Jessica Donati, who writes for the Wall Street Journal, and the BBC’s Kabul bureau manager, Karim Haidari, who said the BBC staff were affected in the blast. | Several journalists tweeted that their offices were damaged in the blast, including Jessica Donati, who writes for the Wall Street Journal, and the BBC’s Kabul bureau manager, Karim Haidari, who said the BBC staff were affected in the blast. |
| READ MORE: More than 50 feared dead in Taliban attack on Afghan forces base – US military | |
| Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the insurgent movement had no involvement in the attack, according to Reuters. Mujahid claimed that the Taliban condemns indiscriminate attacks that cause civilian casualties. | |
| Last month, the Taliban announced the beginning of a “spring offensive,” promising to attack US-trained Afghan forces and foreign troops. | |
| The US has 8,000 troops in Afghanistan to train Afghan forces and render support during counter-insurgency operations. | The US has 8,000 troops in Afghanistan to train Afghan forces and render support during counter-insurgency operations. |