A powerful explosion outside the front gate of the German embassy in Kabul has killed at least one Afghan and injured 14, the health ministry told the BBC.
A suicide car bombing outside the front gate of the German embassy in Kabul has killed at least one Afghan and injured 14, the health ministry told the BBC.
Other reports suggest as many as three people may have been killed. A tanker and several cars were burning at the scene as the injured were taken away.
Other reports suggest as many as three people may have been killed. A child was among the dead, said officials.
Security sources say they believe it was a suicide attack.
The road is lined with high concrete blast barriers protecting the embassy and a nearby US base, Camp Eggers.
The road is lined with high concrete blast barriers protecting the embassy and a nearby US base, Camp Eggers.
Four US soldiers received non-life threatening injuries from shattered windows and debris, the US military said.
Four US soldiers received non-life threatening injuries from shattered glass and debris, the US military said.
Early reports said the German embassy had caught fire. Philipp Wendel, press officer for the German embassy, said he could not give any details.
The BBC's Martin Patience in Kabul says an eyewitness saw a suicide car bomber launch the attack.
A tanker and several cars were burning as the injured were taken away. Earlier reports had suggested the German embassy had caught fire.
The Wazir Akbar Khan district is in a central and sensitive area of Kabul.
The Wazir Akbar Khan district is in a central and sensitive area of Kabul.
The Taleban have reportedly claimed responsibility.
AP new agency said a spokesman for the militant group, Zabiullah Mujahid, claimed a suicide bomber carried out the attack in a Toyota Corolla.
Taleban militants have bombed Afghan government and foreign interests in the city in the past.
Taleban militants have bombed Afghan government and foreign interests in the city in the past.
In November, four Afghans died in another blast nearby, outside the American embassy.
The militants' influence has spread from their traditional heartlands in the south and east to areas closer to the capital.
The militants' influence has spread from their traditional heartlands in the south and east to areas closer to the capital.
But with increased police checkpoints throughout the city, there were fewer attacks inside Kabul in 2008 than in the previous year.
But our correspondent says that with increased police checkpoints throughout the city, there were fewer attacks inside Kabul in 2008 than in the previous year.
US President-elect Barack Obama has pledged to make Afghanistan a foreign policy priority after he comes to office on Tuesday and is expected to approve the doubling of US troops in the country from the 30,000 at present.
US President-elect Barack Obama has pledged to make Afghanistan a foreign policy priority after he comes to office on Tuesday and is expected to approve the doubling of US troops in the country from the 30,000 at present.
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Are you in the area? Have you been affected by this incident, or have you seen or heard anything? Send your comments or pictures using the form below.
