Afghanistan: At least 35 killed in suicide bombing during prayers at Kandahar mosque - Sky News

At least 35 people have been killed in an explosion at a mosque in southern Afghanistan, according to news agency Bakhtar.

The blast happened in the Kandahar region during Friday prayers at a Shia mosque, with 68 believed to be wounded, officials say.

The interior minister's spokesman, Qari Saeed Khosti, said authorities were collecting details of the explosion, which occurred days after the Islamic State claimed a bombing at a Shia mosque in the northern city of Kunduz that killed several people.

Image: Kandahar is located in southern Afghanistan, about 115km (71 miles) from the Pakistan border

Nematullah Wafa, a former member of the local provincial council, said Friday's incident occurred at the Imam Bargah mosque and caused heavy casualties.

Taliban spokesman Bilal Karimi reported the number of dead and wounded as 32 and 68.

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But a local hospital official who is not authorized to speak to the media and spoke on condition of anonymity gave a higher toll to the Associated Press, saying at least 37 people were killed and more than 70 wounded.

A local reporter in Kandahar told Reuters that the nearby hospital, where the dead and injured are being taken are asking young people to give blood.

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"The situation is very bad. Mirwais hospital is messaging and calling on young people to give blood," he said.

Pictures shared on social media showed the devastation of the explosion, with several people lying motionless on the floor.

Image: The attack has not been claimed yet but a similar attack in northern Afghanistan was claimed by the Islamic State. Pic AP

There was no immediate claim of responsibility and the number of bombers is unclear.

One eyewitness, called Murtaza, told The Associated Press that four suicide bombers attacked the mosque, while another told Reuters that there were three attackers.

Two detonated their bombs at a security gate, allowing the other two to run inside and strike the congregation of worshippers, he said.

Image: Mirwais hospital, where the wounded and dead are being taken, is messaging and calling on young people to give blood. Pic AP

He added that Friday prayers are typically attended by around 500 people.

Another witness, also named Murtaza, was in charge of security at the mosque and said he saw two bombers.

He said one detonated explosives outside the gate, and the other was already among the worshippers inside the mosque.

He added the mosque's security personnel shot another suspected attacker outside.

Image: Suicide bombers attacked the mosque in Kandahar during Friday prayers, which is usually attended by almost 500 people. Pic AP

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid condemned the attack and said security forces had been ordered to capture the perpetrators and bring them to justice under Islamic law.

On 8 October, at least 46 people were killed and more than 140 wounded after a suicide bombing in Kunduz.

The bomb went off during the Friday prayer service at the Gozer-e-Sayed Abad Mosque when the venue was packed with worshippers.

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2021-10-15 13:53:57Z
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