Kabul Terror Survivor, "Bodies Scattered Everywhere... It Felt Like Doomsday" (Comprehensive)

US CBS "At least 90 dead, 150 injured"
IS "Broke US military security to carry out attack" claims responsibility
Taliban "Condemns terror attack, will ensure justice is served"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] "It was a catastrophe like Doomsday. Bodies were scattered everywhere."

On the 26th (local time), one of the survivors of the suicide bombing near Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, described the chaotic scene as being like "Doomsday." The survivor, who identified himself as a British military interpreter stationed in Afghanistan, told The Guardian, "I was heading to the airport with my wife and 3-month-old daughter to escape Kabul when I encountered the terrorist attack."

Another survivor, who said he held a U.S. Special Immigrant Visa (SIV), described in an interview with another foreign media outlet, "At the moment of the explosion, I thought my eardrums had burst and I had lost my hearing," adding, "Bodies and body parts were flying through the air like plastic bags caught in a tornado."

A survivor who was within about 10 meters of the explosion site told The New York Times (NYT), "Immediately after the explosion, we fell to the ground and foreign soldiers began firing their guns," and described the chaotic scene: "People were densely packed and pushing each other. I was trapped among them."

Terrorist Attack Targeted Airport Entrance and Waiting Area... IS Claims 'Our Operative Carried Out the Attack'

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

The bombings on that day occurred at the Abbey Gate of Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul and at the Baron Hotel about 250 meters away. The Baron Hotel was used as accommodation for evacuees from the U.S. and Western countries waiting to leave Kabul. This suggests that the main purpose of the attack was to kill U.S. and allied evacuation personnel.

Immediately after the attack, the international terrorist organization Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility through its own media outlet, Amaq News Agency. IS stated, "An operative carrying explosives breached all security facilities and approached within 5 meters of U.S. troops before detonating the explosives strapped to his belt," adding, "We caused more than 160 casualties."

U.S. CBS News, citing Afghan health officials, reported, "At least 90 people have died and 150 have been injured in the Kabul airport suicide bombing." It is unclear whether this number includes U.S. military casualties.

Taliban: 'Our Operatives Also Suffered Casualties... They Will Be Brought to Justice'

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The U.S. Department of Defense announced that 13 U.S. soldiers were killed and 18 wounded in the attack. As bodies continue to be recovered during the cleanup process at the scene, the death toll is expected to rise.

With IS claiming responsibility, it is presumed that the Afghan branch of IS, known as IS Khorasan (IS-K), led the attack. According to the Associated Press, IS-K was formed in 2015 and carried out a suicide bombing at a wedding in western Kabul in August 2019, killing 63 people. In November last year, they also led a shooting attack at Kabul University, killing more than 20 people.

The Taliban strongly condemned the attack in a statement shortly after it occurred. Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban's chief spokesman, said at a press conference, "We condemn the terrorist attack that took place in the U.S.-controlled area of Kabul airport," adding, "Some Taliban operatives outside the airport were also injured. We will track down those responsible and ensure they face justice."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.