Deadly suicide bombing outside Afghan foreign ministry

BBC reported that a suicide bomb attack outside the Afghan foreign ministry in Kabul has caused heavy casualties.

Police said at least five civilians had been killed but another Taliban official put the toll as high as 20.

The attack took place about 16:00 local time (11:30 GMT) when the bomber tried, but failed to enter the ministry building itself, the Taliban said.

Several countries, including Turkey and China, have embassies in the area.

The local offshoot of the Islamic State group, known as Islamic State – Khorasan Province (Isis-K) claimed it carried out the attack, in a post on Telegram.

Reports suggest a Chinese delegation was due to hold talks with the Afghan officials inside the foreign ministry building at the time of the attack.