KABUL - At least 90 people were killed and 461 others wounded in a massive suicide bombing in the heart of Kabul early Wednesday.
The explosion happened at around 8:30am. Public Health Minister Dr. Ferozuddin Feroz, inquiring after the injured, told Pajhwok Afghan News 461 injured and 90 dead people had been evacuated to Wazir Mohammad Akbar Khan, Jamhooriat and Emergency Hospitals.
More casualties were being taken to other health facilities in the capital city, the minister said, suggesting the death toll could go up..
Mohammad Idris Sarwari, in charge of security at the German embassy, confirmed the killing of two Afghan guards of the embassy and injuries to as many others. Two more have been missing.
Nine security guards at a base of foreign forces in the area were among the fatalities. Kabul police chief Shah Hussain Farogh said the explosives had been placed in a water tanker.
Mirwais Yasini, a lawmaker from eastern Nangarhar province who was present at the site, said the explosion was so powerful that it caused a 15 metre deep crater and shattered windowpanes in many buildings.
He alleged the national unity government had failed to ensure public security. He called for President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Abdullah to resign forthwith.
The Emergency Hospital confirmed receiving around 160 injured people. Safiullah, an employee of the German embassy who suffered a hand injury, said women and children were among the casualties.
Najib Danish, acting spokesman for the Ministry of Interior (MoI), wrote on his social media account it was a suicide car bombing. He said 30 vehicles were completely destroyed; there was infrastructure loss at the foreign forces’ camp and office of the Roshan Telecommunication Company.
An eyewitness said the explosion took place between the 17th road of Wazir Akbar Khan, a diplomatic enclave, and Zanbaq Square. German embassy and the foreign military camp are situated in the area.
Another sources said the explosion happened in front of the National Directorate of Security (NDS) compound. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack. (Pajhwok)