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| Dozens killed in Afghan explosion | Dozens killed in Afghan explosion |
| (4 days later) | |
| A massive car bomb explosion in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar has killed at least 40 people. | A massive car bomb explosion in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar has killed at least 40 people. |
| More than 60 people were also hurt as buildings collapsed in the attack in the centre of the city, doctors said. | More than 60 people were also 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. |
| A British soldier also died from wounds suffered in an explosion near Sangin in Helmand province on 15 August, the Ministry of defence said. | A British soldier also died from wounds suffered in an explosion near Sangin in Helmand province on 15 August, the Ministry of defence said. |
| Election attacks | 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 Afghan lessons from Iraq 'success' Karzai ahead in poll | Once again they've killed children, women, innocent Afghans. They are not human. They are animals Mohammad Sher Shah,deputy provincial police chief Afghan lessons from Iraq 'success' Karzai ahead in poll |
| Some reports said bombs were packed in cars that exploded simultaneously, others that a truck or tanker was used. | Some reports said bombs were packed in cars that exploded simultaneously, others that a truck or tanker was used. |
| The explosion struck close to the offices of the Kandahar provincial council, trapping people under rubble. | The explosion struck close to the offices of the Kandahar provincial council, trapping people under rubble. |
| Windows across the city were shattered by the force of the blast. | Windows across the city were shattered by the force of the blast. |
| 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, along with the headquarters of a Japanese construction company. | A wedding hall was one of the buildings damaged, along with the headquarters of a Japanese construction company. |
| MAJOR ATTACKS THIS MONTH 18 Aug: Nine Afghans and a Nato soldier die and more than 50 are injured in Kabul15 Aug: Suicide bomb outside Nato HQ in Kabul kills seven and injures 9013 Aug: Twin blasts in Helmand and Kandahar kill 14, including several children6 Aug: Five American and three UK soldiers, five civilians and five policemen killed by roadside bombs mainly in Helmand3 Aug: Bomb in city of Herat kills 121-2 Aug: Nine foreign soldiers killed over weekend | MAJOR ATTACKS THIS MONTH 18 Aug: Nine Afghans and a Nato soldier die and more than 50 are injured in Kabul15 Aug: Suicide bomb outside Nato HQ in Kabul kills seven and injures 9013 Aug: Twin blasts in Helmand and Kandahar kill 14, including several children6 Aug: Five American and three UK soldiers, five civilians and five policemen killed by roadside bombs mainly in Helmand3 Aug: Bomb in city of Herat kills 121-2 Aug: Nine foreign soldiers killed over weekend |
| Afghans are currently observing the Muslim month of Ramadan and the explosion took place soon after dusk as they broke their fast. | 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. |