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World leaders condemn deadly attack in Kabul

Top officials issue condemnations after massive bombing in Afghan capital claims at least 80 lives and wounds hundreds.

An injured man arrives to a hospital after a blast in Kabul, Afghanistan
Several foreign embassies were in the vicinity of the attack, which occurred in an area filled with diplomats [Reuters]
Published On 31 May 2017

World leaders have offered sweeping condemnations of “one of the biggest” attacks to hit Afghanistan‘s capital, Kabul.

The suicide bomb blast early on Wednesday killed at least 80 people and wounded hundreds 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.

READ MORE: Social media users react to ‘horrific’ Kabul bombing

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani strongly condemned the attack, which came just days into the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Scores killed in ‘one of the biggest’ blasts to hit Kabul

A statement from his office quoted Ghani as saying that “the terrorists, even in the holy month of Ramadan, the month of goodness, blessing and prayer, are not stopping the killing of our innocent people”.

Several foreign embassies were in the vicinity of the attack, which occurred in an area filled with diplomats.

Residences and offices of Pakistani, Indian, French, and German diplomats, among those of other countries, were damaged.

Pakistan condemned the “terrorist attack in Kabul this morning that has caused loss of precious human lives and injuries to many”.

Afghan officials inspect the area outside the German embassy in Kabul after the blast [Mohammad Ismail/Reuters]
Afghan officials inspect the area outside the German embassy in Kabul after the blast [Mohammad Ismail/Reuters]

The victims appear mainly to have been Afghan civilians, but German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said that employees of the German Embassy were wounded in the attack and that one Afghan security guard was killed.

“Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims. We wish those injured a quick recovery,” the foreign minister said. “It’s particularly despicable that these people were targeted.”

READ MORE: Witnesses – Kabul blast felt like an ‘earthquake’

He also vowed that the attack would not shake Germany’s determination to “support the Afghan regime with the stabilisation of their country”.

Foreign minister of Qatar, Mohammed bin Jassim Al-Thani, condemned the “appalling attack”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India tweeted “thoughts & prayers” to those affected by the attack.

Source: Al Jazeera