1,500 Kg Explosives Blast in Kabul Car Bomb
1,500 Kg Explosives Blast in Kabul Car Bomb
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KABUL - A powerful vehicle bomb has hit the diplomatic area of the Afghan capital, Kabul, killing at least 80 people and injuring 350. This bomb struck near Zanbaq Square in the heavily fortified zone, with civilians said to be the main casualties.
The morning rush-hour blast created a massive crater and blew out windows and doors hundreds of metres away. The Taliban have denied carrying out the attack. There has been no word so far from so-called Islamic State (ISIS). Both groups have been behind recent attacks in the country.
BBC reported that Mohammed Nazir, a driver for the corporation's Afghan service, died in the explosion.
The bomb went off at about 08:25 local time (03:55 GMT) during rush hour at the diplomatic quarter. Makeshift ambulances carried wounded away from the scene, as frantic relatives gathered both at the cordoned-off perimeter of the blast site and later at hospitals to try to locate loved ones.
![1,500 Kg Explosives Blast in Kabul Car Bomb]()
Basir Mujahid a spokesman for Kabul police, told Reuters news agency the explosion had taken place close to the German embassy but added it was "hard to say what the exact target is".
There are many other key buildings in the area, including the presidential palace and a number of embassies, including the British.
Some reports say the bomb was in a lorry or water tanker. One Western diplomatic source told Agence France-Presse it was packed with more than 1,500 kg of explosives
BBC reported the vehicle could have penetrated such a heavily fortified area, with its 3m (10ft) high blast walls, to carry out the deadliest attack in the capital in years.
![1,500 Kg Explosives Blast in Kabul Car Bomb]()
For response this incident, Indonesian Foreign Ministry confirmed that no Indonesian citizen (WNI) was victimized in this bomb attack.
"The location of the incident is about 1.2 km from the Indonesian Embassy and is expected to include high explosive. Although the explosive vibration felt to the Embassy of Kabul, but did not cause significant damage," said Director of Citizens Protection and Indonesia Legal Entity (PWNI-BHI) Lalu Muhammad Iqbal on Wednesday (31/5).
"In addition to the 14 Indonesian citizens in the embassy (including ambassadors and staff), there are also 12 Indonesians outside the Embassy, all reportedly in good condition," he said.
The morning rush-hour blast created a massive crater and blew out windows and doors hundreds of metres away. The Taliban have denied carrying out the attack. There has been no word so far from so-called Islamic State (ISIS). Both groups have been behind recent attacks in the country.
BBC reported that Mohammed Nazir, a driver for the corporation's Afghan service, died in the explosion.
The bomb went off at about 08:25 local time (03:55 GMT) during rush hour at the diplomatic quarter. Makeshift ambulances carried wounded away from the scene, as frantic relatives gathered both at the cordoned-off perimeter of the blast site and later at hospitals to try to locate loved ones.
Basir Mujahid a spokesman for Kabul police, told Reuters news agency the explosion had taken place close to the German embassy but added it was "hard to say what the exact target is".
There are many other key buildings in the area, including the presidential palace and a number of embassies, including the British.
Some reports say the bomb was in a lorry or water tanker. One Western diplomatic source told Agence France-Presse it was packed with more than 1,500 kg of explosives
BBC reported the vehicle could have penetrated such a heavily fortified area, with its 3m (10ft) high blast walls, to carry out the deadliest attack in the capital in years.
For response this incident, Indonesian Foreign Ministry confirmed that no Indonesian citizen (WNI) was victimized in this bomb attack.
"The location of the incident is about 1.2 km from the Indonesian Embassy and is expected to include high explosive. Although the explosive vibration felt to the Embassy of Kabul, but did not cause significant damage," said Director of Citizens Protection and Indonesia Legal Entity (PWNI-BHI) Lalu Muhammad Iqbal on Wednesday (31/5).
"In addition to the 14 Indonesian citizens in the embassy (including ambassadors and staff), there are also 12 Indonesians outside the Embassy, all reportedly in good condition," he said.
(rnz)
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