80 killed in massive blast near Indian embassy in Kabul

A powerful blast today rocked Afghan capital Kabul's high-security diplomatic area where the Indian embassy is located. Afghanistan's Police and health officials confirmed that at least 80 people were killed and more than 350 wounded in the attack. 

Reports said the blast was caused by a car bomb in central Zanbaq Square. Police were investigating the possibility that the attacker had detonated a truck packed with explosives. 

Images on social media show a large cloud of black smoke over the city and a series of destroyed vehicles. Houses and shops hundreds of metres away from the blast site were damaged, with windows and doors blown off their hinges.There was no immediate claim of responsibility of the attack. 

Official sources at the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi said that all staff at the Indian embassy were safe. But some damage to the windows of the embassy building has been reported, they



added. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has strongly condemns the blast. In a tweet Mr Modi said forces supporting terror need to be defeated. He said India stands with Afghanistan in fighting all types of terrorism.

External affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has said Indian Embassy staff are safe in the massive Kabul blast in Afghanistan.In a tweet she said by God's grace they are safe. Official sources however said, some damage to the windows of the embassy building has been reported.

France says, the French and German embassies were damaged by the massive bomb that ripped through Kabul's strongly fortified diplomatic quarter today. 

France's European Affairs Minister Marielle de Sarnez said in Paris that there is material damages in the French and Germany embassies. 

However, she said there is no information on any casualties at the two missions.