(CNN) Seven people were killed and 46 wounded in Afghanistan on Wednesday by a car bomb targeting local government officials at the Helmand governor's compound, a local official said.

Government officials, employees and civilians were among the casualties, said Jan Rasoolyar, deputy governor of southern Helmand province.

Rasoolyar said that the explosion was so powerful that most buildings inside the governor's compound as well as nearby civilians homes were damaged.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said the group claimed responsibility for the attack.