Afghanistan: Powerful suicide bombing kills 40 in Kabul; 140 injured
What's the story
A powerful suicide bomb explosion in Afghanistan's capital Kabul has left at least 40 dead and another 140 injured in the city center. The bombing took place near the old Interior Ministry, close to the European Union and High Peace Council offices. Terrorist group Taliban has claimed responsibility. This comes only a week after Taliban terrorists killed 22 in a Kabul hotel. Here's more.
Twitter Post
Bomb detonated near old Interior Ministry office
#Kabul - Video shows the aftermath of a heavy explosion close to the old Ministry of Interior building in Kabul's PD2. pic.twitter.com/T03iI0qicB
— TOLOnews (@TOLOnews) January 27, 2018
Details
Number of casualties would continue to rise: Officials
The Afghan Public Health Ministry spokesperson Mohammad Ismayeel Kawosi reportedly confirmed the casualty figures and stated that the injured persons have been rushed to different hospitals. Meanwhile, government officials have stated that the death toll from the attack is likely to go up. Witnesses say the area was very crowded when the explosion took place, around 1 pm (local time).
Ambulance Bomb
Bomber posed as ambulance driver to get through security checkpoint
According to reports, the bomb was hidden in an ambulance in central Kabul, which is home to foreign embassies and police headquarters. Interior Ministry spokesperson, Nasrat Rahimi, said the suicide bomber, who was driving an ambulance, told the cops at one security checkpoint that he was taking a patient to a hospital. After getting through this checkpoint, he detonated the bomb at another checkpoint.