This article is from the source 'rtcom' 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 https://www.rt.com/news/537559-afghanistan-blast-mosque-casualties/

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Multiple casualties reported after explosion at mosque gates in Afghanistan’s Kandahar At least 33 killed and 73 wounded after explosion at mosque gates in Kandahar, Afghanistan
(about 5 hours later)
An explosion at a Shia mosque in Afghanistan’s southern city of Kandahar during Friday prayers has left multiple casualties, according to witnesses, with victims being transported to hospital in ambulances and cars. An explosion at a Shia mosque in Kandahar, Afghanistan during Friday prayers has left at least 33 people dead and 73 injured, according to officials, with victims being transported to hospital in ambulances and cars.
The explosion hit the Imam Barga mosque while Shia worshippers were gathering at packed Friday prayers, leaving local media reporting multiple casualties, although an exact number is not yet known.  The explosion hit the Bibi Fatima mosque while Shia worshippers were gathering for packed Friday prayers, with an estimated 500 people in attendance.
Footage circulating on social media showed the aftermath of the blast, with smoke billowing from the area where the mosque is located, in the center of the city. Two bombs were detonated at the security gate, while two other suicide bombers ran into the mosque, setting off explosions among the congregation. 
Distressing videos showed bodies, covered by blankets, as they were surrounded by worshippers who attempted to help them in the wake of the explosion. The Taliban’s interior minister, Sayed Khosti, confirmed the attack had “martyred and wounded” a number of “compatriots,” stating that special forces arrived on scene shortly after to “determine the nature of the incident.”
The cause of the blast has not been confirmed but it is thought to have been a suicide bombing. If that is the case, it would mark the second suicide bombing in Afghanistan in recent weeks, with IS-K having taken responsibility for an explosion in Kunduz last week. Smoke could be seen billowing from the area where the mosque is located, in the center of the city, in the aftermath of the blast. Distressing videos showed bodies, covered by blankets, as they were surrounded by worshippers who attempted to help them in the wake of the explosion.
While official have stated that it was a suicide bombing, no group has admitted responsibility yet. It is the second suicide bombing in Afghanistan in recent weeks, with IS-K having taken responsibility for an explosion in Kunduz last week.
Kandahar has been under the Taliban’s control since August 13, as the militant group swiftly gained territory across Afghanistan ahead of their ousting of the country’s government.Kandahar has been under the Taliban’s control since August 13, as the militant group swiftly gained territory across Afghanistan ahead of their ousting of the country’s government.
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!
Dear readers and commenters,Dear readers and commenters,
We have implemented a new engine for our comment section. We hope the transition goes smoothly for all of you. Unfortunately, the comments made before the change have been lost due to a technical problem. We are working on restoring them, and hoping to see you fill up the comment section with new ones. You should still be able to log in to comment using your social-media profiles, but if you signed up under an RT profile before, you are invited to create a new profile with the new commenting system.We have implemented a new engine for our comment section. We hope the transition goes smoothly for all of you. Unfortunately, the comments made before the change have been lost due to a technical problem. We are working on restoring them, and hoping to see you fill up the comment section with new ones. You should still be able to log in to comment using your social-media profiles, but if you signed up under an RT profile before, you are invited to create a new profile with the new commenting system.
Sorry for the inconvenience, and looking forward to your future comments,Sorry for the inconvenience, and looking forward to your future comments,
RT Team.RT Team.