Afghan security forces personnel are seen at the site of a car bomb attack in Kabul on May 31. (Wakil Kohsar/Getty)
A large explosion rocked the city of Kabul, Afghanistan and left at least 80 people dead and hundreds more injured May 31.
The explosion was caused by a truck bomb that went off close to the country’s presidential palace and the German Embassy and almost 500 people were left wounded as a result. The attack in the nation’s capital is one of the largest and bloodiest of the war in Afghanistan.
Fox News reported that at least 11 Americans were among the injured in the blast.
It occurred during one of the busiest times in Kabul: morning rush hour. It caused panic and disbelief as people were left scrambling trying to tend to the wounded and find their loved ones. The explosion was so big that it shattered windows almost one mile away, The New York Times reported.
Large clouds of black smoke were still smoldering around the city hours after the explosion, which came just a few days into Ramadan, the Muslim holy month.
CNN reported that the Taliban has denied taking responsibility for the attack, and it’s currently unclear which group is the culprit, or if it’s an unrelated suicide bombing.
Afghan officials said that the bomb was concealed inside of a water delivery truck and it exploded at 8:22 a.m. local time just outside of a cell phone company and a TV station in one of the busiest areas of Kabul.
Car bomb rocks diplomatic area of Kabul; at least 80 people killed, hundreds injured. t.co/I0bC1h4lqD
German Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Sigmar Gabriel told CNN that the attack was aimed at those headed to work in the large city. He added that the German Embassy in Kabul will remain closed.
“The attack was aimed at civilians and those who are in Afghanistan to work with the people there for a better future of the country,” Gabriel said to the news outlet. “Officials of the German embassy were also injured. In the meantime, all employees are safe.”
The death toll includes BBC employee Mohammed Nazir and at least four other journalists from the news outlet were injured.
BBC statement:
Here are some photos and videos from the gruesome bombing. But be warned: Many of the below photos and videos contain very graphic content.
People Stand Near the Large Crater Left By the Bomb
(Wakil Kohsar/Getty)
Injured Afghan Women Walk Through the Streets In Disbelief as 2 Men Gesture
(Wakil Kohsar/Getty)
Large Clouds of Smoke Were Seen for Miles
Security Forces Remove a Damaged Car From the Scene of the Bombing
(Wakil Kohsar/Getty)
The Bodies of Victims of the Attack Are Carried By a Truck Through Kabul
(Wakil Kohsar/Getty)
Volunteers Carry the Body of a Victim Through the City
(Wakil Kohsar/Getty)
There Was a Chaotic Scene After the Blast
Hospitals in #Kabul call for blood donations as they struggle to treat 350 injured in bomb blast – @SuneEngel tells @bevvo14 #ABCTheWorld
Injured Men Run From the Explosion
(Wakil Kohsar/Getty)
A Wounded Afghan Seeks Assistance From a Man After the Explosion
(Wakil Kohsar/Getty)
(Wakil Kohsar/Getty)
A Wounded Man Is Helped to a Medical Facility
(Wakil Kohsar/Getty)
Some Protested the Lack of Security