More than a dozen people are believed to be dead and several more injured in an explosion just outside the Kabul airport on Thursday evening. The number of casualties from the explosion are expected to rise as multiple agencies are reporting that there was another explosion that took place immediately after the first one.
Initial reports suggested that the explosion killed at least 13 people including children. Many Taliban guards are also reported to have been wounded.
"We can confirm that the explosion at the Abbey Gate was the result of a complex attack that resulted in a number of US and civilian casualties. We can also confirm at least one other explosion at or near the Baron Hotel, a short distance from Abbey Gate. We will continue to update," tweeted John Kirby, Assistant to the US Secretary of Defence for Public Affairs a short while ago.
Kirby said that the exact number of casualties, including from the US side, remains unknown. It was also reported that US President Joe Biden has been briefed about the attack which some said was carried out by a suicide bomber.
A US official told Reuters there were casualties from the explosion, but said it was unclear how many people were hurt. As many as three US service members were among those injured, the official said, citing initial information.
Two US officials said it appeared to be a suicide bombing.
Afghanistan's Tolo News said that several people injured in the explosion are being transported to a local hospital.
With the situation turning extremely dangerous at the Kabul airport, BBC said that UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson will chair a crisis meeting on the situation soon.
Also Read: US, UK & Australia warn citizens to stay away from Kabul airport as terror attack likely
The USA, UK and Australia had warned their citizens on Thursday to stay away from the Kabul airport as there was danger of a terrorist attack in the area.
The US has warned people against travelling to the airport, citing “security threats outside the gates”. The warning states that US citizens who are currently at the Abbey, East or North gates “should leave immediately”.
The British government warned its citizens in Afghanistan to stay away from Kabul airport, citing the “ongoing and high threat” of a terrorist attack. The Foreign Office said anyone in the area of the airport should “move away to a safe location and await further advice.”
There is a high threat of a terrorist attack near the airport in Kabul, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Marise Payne said on Thursday warning the country’s citizens to stay away from the area.
Australia has been evacuating its citizens and visa holders for more than a week from Kabul airport, where Canberra had urged people to travel in order to be ready for transport.
Late on Wednesday, Australia changed its advice to those in the area, which Payne said was based on heightened concerns of an attack.
"There is an ongoing and very high threat of a terrorist attack," Payne told journalists in Canberra.
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