Kabul: At least 33 people have been killed and around 74 others attending weekly Friday prayers suffered injuries in a bombing attack at a Shiite mosque in Kandahar, local media reported.
There has not yet been any claim of responsibility for the assault in Kandahar, the spiritual heartland of the Taliban.
“Our initial information shows it was a suicide bomber who blew up himself up inside the mosque. We have launched an investigation to find out more,” a local Taliban official told AFP on condition of anonymity.
A doctor at the city’s central Mirwais hospital told AFP: “Thirty-three bodies and 74 wounded people have been brought to our hospital so far.”
Other medical sources and a provincial official confirmed a toll of more than 30, and at least 15 ambulances were rushing to and from the scene.
“There are too many dead bodies and wounded people brought to our hospital. We are expecting more to come. We are in urgent need of blood. We have asked all the local media in Kandahar to ask people to come and donate blood.”
An eyewitness told AFP he heard three explosions, one at the main door of the mosque, another at a southern area, and a third where worshippers wash before their prayers.
Another witness also said that three blasts rocked the mosque in the centre of the town during Friday prayers, the busiest congregation of the week.