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Kabul suicide bomber attacks French school during show Kabul suicide bomber attacks French school during show
(35 minutes later)
French officials say "several people" have been killed by a suicide bomber who attacked a French-run school in the Afghan capital Kabul during a show. French officials say several people have been killed by a suicide bomber who attacked a French-run school in the Afghan capital Kabul during a show.
At least 15 people were injured in the attack on the Istiqlala school, home to the French Cultural Centre. At least 15 people were injured in the attack on the Istiqlal school, home to the French Cultural Centre.
A witness told the BBC that the attacker detonated his explosives among the audience. A witness told the BBC the attacker detonated the bomb among the audience.
Earlier, at least six Afghan soldiers were killed by a suicide bomber on the outskirts of Kabul. Earlier, at least six Afghan soldiers were killed by a suicide bomber on the outskirts of Kabul - the latest in a string of attacks by the Taliban.
The Taliban said they carried out that attack, the first by them in the capital for more than a week. "I firmly condemn this terrorist act which caused the death of several people and left many injured. There were no French victims," French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said in a statement.
So far no group has said it carried out the attack on the school - one of the most well known in Afghanistan. He described the attack as a "barbaric act" and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.
Afghan officials would only confirm that one person had been killed, and reports said the person was foreign. Mr Fabius said crisis units had been set up in Kabul and France to investigate the incident.
But a French foreign ministry spokesman later said "several people" died in the "barbaric" attack. Earlier, Afghan officials would only confirm that one person had been killed, and reports said the person was foreign.
AftermathAftermath
Kabul's new police chief, Abdul Rahman Rahimi, told reporters that the suicide bomber was a teenager aged about 16.Kabul's new police chief, Abdul Rahman Rahimi, told reporters that the suicide bomber was a teenager aged about 16.
A witness who said he was no more than 5m (49ft) from the explosion, said the blast came about 20 minutes into the performance of a production called Heart Beat, about freedom and democracy and against violence.A witness who said he was no more than 5m (49ft) from the explosion, said the blast came about 20 minutes into the performance of a production called Heart Beat, about freedom and democracy and against violence.
About 500 people were in the auditorium at the time and security was very tight, he added.About 500 people were in the auditorium at the time and security was very tight, he added.
Another witness, Samira Sadat, told the BBC that she was watching the show when the attack took place.
She said the blast initially seemed like part of the performance. As she was leaving the building, she said she passed a man with severe facial injuries on the ground.
Footage on Afghan television showed the aftermath of the explosion with injured people in the street outside.Footage on Afghan television showed the aftermath of the explosion with injured people in the street outside.
So far no group has said it carried out the attack on the school - one of the most well known in Afghanistan.
However, the Taliban have recently stepped up attacks as most foreign combat troops prepare to leave the country later this month.
The school was inaugurated in 1974 with more than 2,000 students and is regarded as one of the best in the country.The school was inaugurated in 1974 with more than 2,000 students and is regarded as one of the best in the country.
It is in the heart of Kabul, close to the presidential palace and the foreign ministry.It is in the heart of Kabul, close to the presidential palace and the foreign ministry.
The attached French Cultural Centre was forced to close between 1983 and 2002 when Afghanistan was engulfed by conflict, but it reopened in 2003 and was revamped in 2010.
Last month, Kabul's police chief resigned following a surge in attacks by Afghan militants on foreigners in the city.Last month, Kabul's police chief resigned following a surge in attacks by Afghan militants on foreigners in the city.
The Taliban have stepped up attacks in Afghanistan as most foreign combat troops prepare to leave the country later this month.
President Ashraf Ghani, who took power in September, has vowed to bring peace after decades of conflict.President Ashraf Ghani, who took power in September, has vowed to bring peace after decades of conflict.