At least seven people were killed and many others injured after an explosion hit a hotel or restaurant in downtown Kabul on Monday, Afghan officials confirmed. The blast occurred in Shahr-e-Naw, one of the busiest areas of the Afghan capital, but the cause of the explosion is still unclear. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine whether the incident was accidental or deliberate.
Kabul police spokesperson Khalid Zadran confirmed that the explosion resulted in multiple casualties. Interior Ministry spokesperson Abdul Mateen Qani said both deaths and injuries were reported, though exact numbers are yet to be confirmed.
The Italian NGO EMERGENCY, which runs a surgical care facility in Kabul, reported receiving 20 victims from the blast, including seven who were already dead upon arrival. Among the injured were four women and a child, many of whom sustained lacerations and bruises and are being assessed for surgery, according to Dejan Panic, the organisation’s country director in Afghanistan.
Foreign nationals affected
Chinese state media reported that two Chinese nationals were seriously injured in the blast, while a security guard lost his life.
Local television footage aired by Tolo News showed thick smoke and dust rising from the streets near the site of the explosion. Emergency teams and security forces rushed to the area, cordoning it off to provide assistance and maintain safety.
Authorities have not yet clarified whether the explosion was caused by an accident or a targeted attack. Investigations are ongoing, and officials continue to collect evidence to establish the circumstances surrounding the deadly blast.
