Tens killed in massive blast in Kabul

At least 40 people were killed or wounded Wednesday as a massive blast ripped through Kabul's diplomatic quarter, shattering the morning rush hour and bringing carnage to the streets of the Afghan capital.

Bodies littered the scene and a huge plume of smoke rose from the area which houses foreign embassies. However, it was not immediately clear what the target was.

“A car bomb” exploded at 8:25am, Najib Danish, an interior ministry spokesman, told media. He said at least 40 people had been killed or wounded, but could not give a breakdown of the casualties.

A health ministry spokesman said more than 60 wounded people, mainly civilians, had been rushed to Kabul's hospitals, adding: “We don't know the number of killed yet”.