Kabul blast kills four and wounds 90, including 23 children

At least 23 children are among scores wounded after an explosion at a high-security resort for non-government organisations killed four in eastern Kabul yesterday.

More than 90, most of them civilians, were wounded in the explosion in the 9th district of the city, said Najib Danish, spokesman for the Ministry of Interior.

Until recently UN staff had lived in the compound, but Mr Danish said the area was now largely empty.

“Residential houses nearby have sustained heavy damage,” he said. “Special police units have been sent to the site to see if there are more attackers.”

Hayat Khan was having dinner with his family at his home when the explosion shattered the windows.

“All of my family are wounded,” Mr Khan said.

“They have received injuries to their heads, hands, legs and necks.”

The family was being treated at Wazir Akbar Khan Hospital.

Police spokesman Basir Mujahid said a vehicle full of explosives had been detonated.

“It was a powerful car bomb that knocked down a wall between Green Village and the Customs office,” he said.

An Interior Ministry official said the explosion destroyed at least three checkpoints.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

The blast came as the Independent Election Commission announced preliminary results of the country’s parliamentary polls.

The election commission said yesterday that 24 male and nine female candidates were among those who had secured seats in parliament after preliminary counting.