Powerful Explosion at Kabul Mosque in Afghanistan... Suspected Suicide Bombing Attack

The perpetrator has not been immediately identified
Company officials say "Suspected suicide bombing"

Worshippers leaving the mosque in western Kabul where the explosion occurred / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Nayeon] A powerful explosion, believed to be a suicide bombing, occurred on the 29th (local time) at a mosque in western Kabul, Afghanistan, killing more than 50 people, according to the mosque authorities.

The explosion took place around 2 p.m. at the Khalifa Sahib Mosque in western Kabul, where Islamic worshippers had gathered for a Friday preparatory event.

Health officials reported that 66 people were killed and 78 injured in the blast and were transported to city hospitals.

However, the Ministry of Interior spokesperson stated that the official death toll is 10, indicating that an accurate casualty count has not yet been established.

Sayyed Fazil Agha, the mosque representative, said the suicide bomber appeared to have detonated the bomb after participating in the prayer event, adding, "Black smoke and debris scattered everywhere due to the explosion, and bodies were lying in various places."

The explosion occurred during Ramadan, the Islamic fasting month, amid a series of attacks on places of worship and civilian facilities in Afghanistan.

Zahihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Taliban government, issued a statement condemning the explosion and vowed to find and punish the perpetrators.

However, it has not been immediately determined who was responsible for the explosion.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan condemned the attack as part of a recent increase in assaults on minorities over the past few weeks and stated that at least two UN staff members and their families were present at the mosque during the attack.

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