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Kabul blast: Suicide bomb in diplomatic district Kabul blast: Suicide bomber targets media staff
(about 3 hours later)
A suicide bomber has launched an attack in the diplomatic area of the Afghan capital Kabul, officials say, killing at least four people. A suicide bomber has launched an attack on a bus carrying TV and radio staff in the Afghan capital Kabul, officials say, killing at least seven people.
Officials say about 20 others have been wounded in the attack. More than 20 others - including passers-by - were wounded.
The explosion sent black smoke billowing into the sky, with emergency services rushing to the scene.The explosion sent black smoke billowing into the sky, with emergency services rushing to the scene.
No group has claimed responsibility for the blast, but the Taliban will be the main suspects as they have launched numerous attacks in the city. No group has claimed responsibility for the blast, but the Taliban will be the main suspects.
The militants have launched numerous recent attacks in the city.
Since the beginning of 2016, Kabul has been hit by at least at least six bomb attacks - in the most recent on Sunday a rocket landed near the Italian embassy, wounding two security guards. The Indian and Pakistani missions have also recently been targeted.Since the beginning of 2016, Kabul has been hit by at least at least six bomb attacks - in the most recent on Sunday a rocket landed near the Italian embassy, wounding two security guards. The Indian and Pakistani missions have also recently been targeted.
Tolo News reported that the bomb was detonated by a motorcycle rider who was targeting a civilian bus in the west of the city. The bomb was detonated by a motorcycle rider who targeted the bus in central Kabul.
However, interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi was quoted by the Associated Press as saying that the explosion was caused by a car bomb. Employees of the Kaboora media group were on the vehicle, including representatives from Tolo TV and Tolo News.
"Police are working to identify the victims of today's attack, but there was no military convoy [in the area], they were all civilians," Mr Sediqqi said on his Twitter page. "Unfortunately, in the terrorist attack today in Darulaman Road in Kabul, we lost seven staff members," Tolo TV tweeted.
A Tolo TV reporter told the BBC's Kawoon Khamoosh he was fortunate to be alive after nearly being burnt to death.
Another representative from the news section of the channel said that several of his colleagues are among the wounded who had been transferred to a hospital close to the attack site.
Our correspondent says that Wednesday's attack came a few months after the Taliban announced that Tolo TV and 1TV would be among their targets.
It is thought that the militants are upset over media coverage of recent fighting in an around the strategic city of Kunduz.
Tolo TV had implemented tighter security measures in recent months.
"Police are working to identify the victims of today's attack, but there was no military convoy [in the area], they were all civilians," interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said on his Twitter page.
Witnesses near the scene of the bomb say at least two people burned to death in the bus while civilians nearby - including a child - were also killed.Witnesses near the scene of the bomb say at least two people burned to death in the bus while civilians nearby - including a child - were also killed.
A Russian foreign ministry source told the Interfax news agency that the attack was close to but not directed at its embassy. A Russian foreign ministry source told the Interfax news agency that the attack had caused only minimal damage to its nearby embassy.
Last week at least seven Afghan security personnel were killed in a gun battle near the Pakistani consulate in Jalalabad.Last week at least seven Afghan security personnel were killed in a gun battle near the Pakistani consulate in Jalalabad.
Observers have speculated that the attacks could be aimed at destabilising attempts to revive peace talks with Taliban, but there is no confirmation. Observers have speculated that the attacks could also be aimed at destabilising attempts to revive peace talks with Taliban.
The peace push is being pursued by Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the US. The Taliban are being urged to take part following the breakdown of previous negotiations in July.The peace push is being pursued by Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the US. The Taliban are being urged to take part following the breakdown of previous negotiations in July.