- 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."
Source: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2017/05/huge-blast-rocks-kabul-diplomatic-area-170531040318591.htmlThe 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.