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The blast touched a site near the Kabul International Airport, where a rally of religious scholars was being held, the Afghan Ministry of the Interior said. The attack took place around 18:15. local hour. At least 82 people were injured, the Ministry of Health reported.
The blast was committed by a suicide bomber, according to Najib Danish, spokesman for the Afghan Ministry of the Interior. The rally was organized to mark the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, he said.
No claim of responsibility has yet been made.
Despite diplomatic efforts to end 17 years of war in Afghanistan, the security situation in the country has deteriorated sharply in recent months.
In August, at least 34 people were killed in an attack targeting an education center. Among the victims were dozens of teenagers studying English.
Then, in September, 20 people, including two journalists, were killed in two bombings against a wrestling club for which the Islamic State claimed responsibility. The second explosion was triggered after emergency services, journalists and police arrived at the scene.
In July, a UN report announced that the number of Afghan civilians killed in the first six months of 2018 had reached a record high. According to the UN, nearly 1,700 civilians were killed from January 1 to June 30, a figure that has not been seen for 10 years. Kabul is one of the most dangerous places in Afghanistan for civilians, the report says.
