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Car bomb kills at least 80 people overnight in Kabul, Afghanistan, 300+ injured

Tovarisc

Member
  • Truck bomb blast kills 80, wounds more than 300
  • The massive explosion hit the diplomatic quarter, one of Kabul's most secure areas
  • No immediate claim of responsibility - Taliban denies involvement
A massive truck bomb blast has ripped through the heart of Kabul's diplomatic district, killing at least 80 people and wounding hundreds, in a powerful explosion described by officials as "one of the biggest" to have hit the Afghan capital.

A tanker truck believed to be carrying either water or human waste exploded on Wednesday near Zanbaq square, in Kabul's 10th district, close to shops and restaurants, as well as government offices and foreign embassies.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Taliban, told Al Jazeera that the group was not involved in the attack.

Police and health officials confirmed to Al Jazeera that at least 80 people were killed and more than 300 wounded in the attack.
The victims appear mainly to have been Afghan civilians and there were no immediate reports of casualties among foreign embassy staff.

"The area is heavily guarded and there is usually traffic jam, just because of security-controlled points in the area," Mushtaq Rahim, an independent analyst and security commentator, told Al Jazeera from Kabul.

"And that was one of the main reasons that we had so many civilian casualties. because of the congestion that happens in that area."
The incident raised many security questions in Kabul, Azimy said, noting that many were wondering how "a truck full of explosives could manage to get to that highly secure" part of the Afghan capital.

Rahim, the security commentator, agreed.

"Heavily-loaded vehicles are checked thoroughly and usually they are not allowed to pass through these areas without prior clearance from the security forces," he said.
Source: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/05/huge-blast-rocks-kabul-diplomatic-area-170531040318591.html

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slider

Member
Got a few mates there at the minute. Fucking awful. Not necessarily for my mates - even though they're like brothers. But the poor souls going about their lives. RIP.
 

ColdPizza

Banned
I hate how desensitised I've become to these stories.

I'd like to think you (and me) would feel differently if it were on US soil. Ideally, we should feel awful about this happening anywhere. But these attacks seem to happen so often in these areas I can see how one can become desensitized.
 

Morat

Banned
Was just listening to some asshole in a uniform tell us how successful the war on terror had been on the news yesterday.
 

emag

Member
Horrifying, as were yesterday's bombings in Baghdad. There's no excuse to harm civilians like this, no matter what injustices drive the attackers.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.
 
RIP.

when I read these; I think that the people who are dead are luckier - can't imagine having to recover from lost limbs, injuries etc and having to deal with the debilitating impact of the wounds

horrible news.
 
That's a massive explosion, so scary and sad at the same time. What could they be hoping to gain from this? Feels like every day almost something like this happens in the Middle East. I can't even begin to imagine what it's like to live in a place where this is happening all the time.
 

TBiddy

Member
I'm perpetually amazed at some photos.

First photo, guy covered in blood round his waist, crawling toward the camera. What is the camera man doing? Don't move mate, this shot is great!!

Be thankful that photographers are doing their job.
 

parmanu

Member
It is amazing how quickly people (emergency response teams, rescue workers, municipal workers etc) get to the site, who knows there could be more explosives planted. I would be scared as hell.
 

Jumeira

Banned
Ramadan seems to mark a surge in terrorist attacks last few years, is there any scripture on martyrdom being encouraged at this particular lunar month?
No, Islam is very clear that this month is holy, even innocent cursing could spoil your fast, there's a significant focus on introspection and charity. This is why you'll notice Muslims gasp at the brutality particularly during this month. ISIS and other terror groups don't care for Islamic rules if it goes against thier goals.

I assume they know peoples guard will be down and see it as an opportunity to attack.
 
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