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| Dozens killed in Afghan explosion | Dozens killed in Afghan explosion |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A massive car bomb explosion in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar has killed at least 30 people. | A massive car bomb explosion in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar has killed at least 30 people. |
| Dozens more were hurt as buildings collapsed in the attack in the centre of the city, doctors said. | Dozens more were hurt as buildings collapsed in the attack in the centre of the city, doctors said. |
| The explosion took place shortly after the first results were announced in the presidential election. | The explosion took place shortly after the first results were announced in the presidential election. |
| Earlier a bomb killed four US soldiers, making 2009 the deadliest year for foreign troops since the US-led invasion overthrew the Taliban. | Earlier a bomb killed four US soldiers, making 2009 the deadliest year for foreign troops since the US-led invasion overthrew the Taliban. |
| Election attacks | |
| No-one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack in Kandahar, which is a stronghold of the Taliban. There have been a number of attacks in the city this year. | No-one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack in Kandahar, which is a stronghold of the Taliban. There have been a number of attacks in the city this year. |
| Once again they've killed children, women, innocent Afghans. They are not human. They are animals. Mohammad Sher Shah,deputy provincial police chief Karzai ahead in poll | |
| People were trapped under rubble as the explosion struck close to the offices of the Kandahar provincial council. | People were trapped under rubble as the explosion struck close to the offices of the Kandahar provincial council. |
| The area has several hotels and offices of non-governmental organisations. | The area has several hotels and offices of non-governmental organisations. |
| A wedding hall was one of the buildings damaged and one report said the headquarters of a Japanese construction company was also struck. | A wedding hall was one of the buildings damaged and one report said the headquarters of a Japanese construction company was also struck. |
| Afghans are currently observing the Muslim month of Ramadan and the explosion took place soon after dusk as they broke their fast. | |
| Agha Lalai, a member of the Kandahar provincial council, told AFP news agency: "It felt like an earthquake. The power went off and there was a huge explosion. Police have cordoned off the area and are busy with the wounded." | Agha Lalai, a member of the Kandahar provincial council, told AFP news agency: "It felt like an earthquake. The power went off and there was a huge explosion. Police have cordoned off the area and are busy with the wounded." |
| Deputy provincial police chief Mohammad Sher Shah told the Associated Press news agency: "Once again they've killed children, women, innocent Afghans. They are not human. They are animals. You can see for yourself the destruction of this enemy." | Deputy provincial police chief Mohammad Sher Shah told the Associated Press news agency: "Once again they've killed children, women, innocent Afghans. They are not human. They are animals. You can see for yourself the destruction of this enemy." |
| There have been a series of insurgent attacks across the country as Afghanistan held its presidential election. | There have been a series of insurgent attacks across the country as Afghanistan held its presidential election. |
| The Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said there were more than 400 attacks on election day alone, last Thursday. | The Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said there were more than 400 attacks on election day alone, last Thursday. |
| The four US soldiers who died were killed "while patrolling in one of the most violent areas of Afghanistan", Nato spokesman Brig Gen Eric Tremblay said, without giving an exact location. | The four US soldiers who died were killed "while patrolling in one of the most violent areas of Afghanistan", Nato spokesman Brig Gen Eric Tremblay said, without giving an exact location. |
| The deaths brought the number of foreign forces killed in Afghanistan in 2009 to 295. | The deaths brought the number of foreign forces killed in Afghanistan in 2009 to 295. |
| The previous deadliest year was 2008, when 294 military personnel died. | The previous deadliest year was 2008, when 294 military personnel died. |
| More than 30,000 extra US troops have been sent to Afghanistan since President Barack Obama ordered reinforcements in May, almost doubling his country's contingent and increasing the Western total to about 100,000. | More than 30,000 extra US troops have been sent to Afghanistan since President Barack Obama ordered reinforcements in May, almost doubling his country's contingent and increasing the Western total to about 100,000. |
| The first results in the presidential poll, announced on Tuesday, gave incumbent Hamid Karzai a slender lead over former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah, by 40.6% to 38.7%. | The first results in the presidential poll, announced on Tuesday, gave incumbent Hamid Karzai a slender lead over former foreign minister Abdullah Abdullah, by 40.6% to 38.7%. |
| Only 10% of votes have been counted. | Only 10% of votes have been counted. |
| Are you in the area? Have you been affected? Send us your comments and eye witness accounts using the form below. | Are you in the area? Have you been affected? Send us your comments and eye witness accounts using the form below. |
| A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |