Twin blasts at Afghan ceremony kill at least three, wound 30 people

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan: At least three people were killed and 30 wounded in twin explosions inside a stadium hosting an agricultural show in southern Afghanistan yesterday, officials said.

The blasts happened in Lashkar Gah, the capital of volatile Helmand province, as people marked Farmers’ Day as part of Persian New Year celebrations, provincial governor spokesman Omar Zhwak told AFP.

People had put their agricultural products on display in the city’s main stadium when the explosions happened, said witness Omidullah Zaheer.

“First a small explosion happened inside a tent in the stadium. People started to run towards the gates, when a second blast hit the crowd,” he told AFP.

“I saw some wounded people taken out of the stadium,” he said.

Zhwak said the casualties from the second blast had been minimal as people fled the area after the first.

Among the wounded were the deputy governor, deputy head of the provincial council, head of the information and the heads of the culture and agricultural departments.

“I am fine,” governor Mohammad Yasin, who was also present, told AFP.

“But three people were killed and 31 wounded in the blasts,” he added, giving a slightly higher injury toll than a statement issued by his office.

He blamed the Taliban for the attack.

Neither the Taliban nor any other group immediately claimed the blasts, which came two days after multiple blasts in Kabul killed six people and wounded over 20 others during the Persian New Year celebrations in a Shiite area.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack in Kabul. — AFP

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