50 killed in Afghan suicide bombing

The bombing of a crowded religious gathering in Kabul on Tuesday killed at least 50 people, Afghan officials said.

Wahid Majrooh, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Health, said that in addition to those who were killed, at least 75 people were wounded in an explosion at the Uranus Wedding Palace, near Kabul’s international airport, and that officials were still trying to determine the exact toll.

Najib Danish, the spokesperson for the Interior Ministry, called it a suicide bombing and confirmed the death toll.

Witnesses said there were a thousand people inside the hall when the explosion took place. They included clerics and religious scholars, along with others who had gathered to celebrate the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, a national holiday in Afghanistan.

President Ashraf Ghani called the attack “a crime against Islam and humanity” and declared a national day of mourning Wednesday.

Shamsul Dua, 50, an ice cream vendor, emerged from the hall with his hands, feet and clothing covered in blood.

He said the explosion took place seven or eight minutes after the gathering began.

“I could only see smoke, and debris started falling from the ceiling,” he said.

“I personally saw 30 or 40 dead.” There was no immediate claim of responsibility.