Afghan officials inspect outside the German embassy after a blast in Kabul, Afghanistan May 31, 2017. (Photo: Reuters)
At least 80 are dead and 350 injured after car bomb rocked a highly secure diplomatic area in Kabul, Afghanistan during rush hour on Wednesday morning.
Officials said the massive explosion–believed to be from a suicide car bomber–was so large that more than 30 vehicles were either destroyed or damaged at the site of the attack.
“We don’t know at this moment what was the target of the attack, but most of the casualties are civilians,” said Najib Danish, deputy spokesman for the Interior Ministry.
Germany’s Foreign Minister Signmar Gabriel said employees of the German Embassy in Kabul were wounded and an Afghan security guard was killed. The Foreign Ministry activated a crisis team to help deal with the aftermath.
“Such attacks do not change our resolve in continuing to support the Afghan government in the stabilization of the country,” he said.
City police spokesman Basir Mujahid told Reuters that the explosives were hidden in a sewage truck. He also indicated that the German embassy might not have been the target of the bombing.
“There are several other important compounds and offices near there too,” he told Reuters
Windows were shattered in shops, restaurants and other buildings up to a half mile from the blast site.
