An explosion in front of a school in Kabul, Afghanistan, left at least 25 dead and 52 injured, including students, on Saturday, May 8, the Afghan Interior Ministry said. 

Ministry spokesman Tariq Arian said at least 52 were injured while his health ministry counterpart Ghulam Dastagir Nazari said 46 people had been hospitalized.

"The number of victims could increase," Tareq Arian, spokesman for the Interior Ministry, told reporters.

The attack took place in the district of Dasht-e-Barchi, in the west of the Afghan capital, as residents were shopping for the approach of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr which will mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan next week.

It is a district populated mainly by Hazara Shiites, often targeted by Sunni Islamist militants.

"The people on the spot are furious and attacked the paramedics," for his part lamented the spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, Dastagir Nazari.

An unclaimed attack

The cause of the explosion, which has not been claimed, is unknown.

An investigation for "terrorist attack" has been opened, said deputy interior ministry spokesman Hamid Roshan.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, for his part, condemned the attack.

Much like the European Union mission in Afghanistan on Twitter: "The horrific attack in the Dasht-e-Barchi area of ​​Kabul is a heinous act of terrorism. Primarily targeting students at a girls' school in Kabul. is attacking the future of Afghanistan, against young people determined to improve their country. Our hearts go out to all who have been affected. "

The horrendous attack in Dasht-i Barchi area in Kabul, is an despicable act of terrorism.

Targeting primarily students in a girls' school, makes this an attack on the future of Afghanistan.

On young people determined to improve their country.

Our thoughts go to all affected.

- EUinAfghanistan (@EUinAfghanistan) May 8, 2021

Resurgence of violence

Authorities in Kabul fear an upsurge in violence as the United States has undertaken to withdraw its forces from Afghanistan, 20 years after their deployment following the September 11, 2001 attacks on their soil.

The Taliban, driven from power by the American intervention, recently intensified their attacks across the country, according to the Afghan authorities. 

The explosion comes as the United States and Europeans on Friday called for an "immediate" and "no preconditions" resumption of negotiations in Afghanistan, accusing the Taliban of inflicting violence during the withdrawal of foreign forces and of blocking the peace process.

With Reuters, AP and AFP

The summary of the week

France 24 invites you to come back to the news that marked the week

I subscribe

Take international news everywhere with you!

Download the France 24 application

google-play-badge_FR