Kabul explosion: At least 50 people killed or wounded in the suicide car bombing, say Afghan officials

Image: ANI/Twitter

KABUL (Afghanistan): Afghan officials have said that a heavy explosion has caused casualties and damage in the diplomatic area of the capital Kabul. Najib Danish, deputy spokesman for the Interior Ministry, said at least 50 people were killed or wounded in the suicide car bombing Wednesday. The blast in the Wazir Akbar Khan area happened near several embassies and not far from the presidential palace. Ismail Kawasi, spokesman for the public health ministry, said more than 50 wounded people are in Kabul hospitals so far. Danish said the blast was so heavy more than 30 vehicles were either destroyed or damaged. Windows were shattered in shops, restaurants and other buildings up to a kilometer from the blast site.

Pictures of immediate aftermath of Kabul explosion, Afghan Health Ministry says 60 people wounded so far. pic.twitter.com/Jxjl6JTIIk

— ANI (@ANI_news) May 31, 2017

By God's grace, Indian Embassy staff are safe in the massive #Kabul blast.

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 31, 2017

Buildings, including ours, suffered considerable breakages,but all our staff are safe: Indian ambassador in Kabul Manpreet Vohra #KabulBlast

— ANI (@ANI_news) May 31, 2017

Powerful blast rocks Kabul's high-security diplomatic area where #Indianembassy is located; all staffer said to be safe. #Kabulblast — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 31, 2017

(With inputs from agencies)