Explosion rocks diplomatic enclave in Kabul (Lead)

December 15th, 2009 - 2:14 pm ICT by IANS  

Kabul, Dec 15 (DPA) A massive explosion rocked the diplomatic enclave of the Afghan capital Kabul Tuesday, causing unknown casualties and damage to several cars and houses, a police official said.
The apparent car-bombing occurred near the Heetal hotel in the Wazir Akbar Khan area where several embassies and international organisations are located, police officer Abdul Matin told DPA.

He said the blast came from a vehicle loaded with explosives, but it was not known if it was a suicide attack.

Private television channel Tolo reported that at least 10 people were injured. It said that the attack took place near the residence of Ahmad Zia Massoud, a former first vice president, but he was unharmed.

Video footage showed a vehicle on fire, with the blast having created a large crater on the road and destroyed two double-storeyed buildings close to the explosion site. Police and local residents were also seen carrying injured people to military ambulances.

“Our office is some half kilometre away from the blast site, but the explosion was so big that it broke all the glass,” said Abdul Haseeb, an employee for a construction company.

He said smoke was still rising from the blast site.

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