Massive bomb blast rocks secure area of Kabul, killing dozens and wounding hundreds
A huge explosion rocked a highly secure part of Kabul, Afghanistan, during rush hour on Wednesday morning, killing at least 80 people and wounding hundreds more, officials said. The death toll is expected to rise. The blast, from what authorities say was a suicide bomb inside a septic tanker, broke shop windows up to a mile away and destroyed or damaged some 30 vehicles at the site, said Najib Danish, a spokesman for the Interior Ministry. "We don't know at this moment what was the target of the attack, but most of the casualties are civilians," he said.
No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, near the German Embassy off Zanbaq Square, in an area with heavily fortified embassies and government offices, including the Foreign Ministry and Presidential Palace. The German Foreign Ministry said some embassy workers were wounded and an Afghan security officer killed in the blast, which left a 13-foot-deep hole, according to Kabul police chief, Gen. Hassan Shah Frogh. Both the Taliban and the Islamic State have detonated explosives in Kabul, the Afghan capital, in the past. "There are a large number of casualties, but I don't know, how many people are killed or wounded," Gul Rahim, an eyewitness, tells The Associated Press. Peter Weber
This is a breaking news story and has been updated throughout.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
The Week Unwrapped: Will China's 'robot wolves' change wars?
Podcast Plus, why are Britain's birds in decline? And are sleeper trains making a comeback?
By The Week Staff Published
-
The week's best photos
In Pictures A flower revival, a vibrant carnival, and more
By Anahi Valenzuela, The Week US Published
-
Drawing the Italian Renaissance: a 'relentlessly impressive' exhibition
The Week Recommends Show at the King's Gallery features an 'enormous cache' of works by the likes of Leonardo, Michelangelo and Raphael
By The Week UK Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published