At least 60 people sustain wounds when an explosion has hit the Afghan capital, Kabul, in an area close to foreign embassies and the presidential palace.
The Afghan officials say at least 60 were injured but expect that figure to rise.
Early reports say the blast was caused by a car bomb in central Zanbaq Square and that properties hundreds of metres away were damaged by its force.
Images circulating on social media show a large cloud of black smoke billowing over the city.
The central blast area has been cordoned off by police while the injured are being transported to the nearest hospital.
Pictures of immediate aftermath of Kabul explosion, Afghan Health Ministry says 60 people wounded so far. pic.twitter.com/Jxjl6JTIIk
— ANI (@ANI_news) May 31, 2017
Number of cars damaged close to the blast site. Images of shattered glass carpeting a large area of the square are also being shared widely on social media.
The precise target of the attack remains unclear, although it hit Kabul’s diplomatic and government district.
#BREAKING — Huge blast following VBIED attack near #Germany and #India embassies in #Kabul #Afghanistan. Dozens of casualties. pic.twitter.com/bZqNGJEMPS
— Yannis Koutsomitis (@YanniKouts) May 31, 2017
