Sixty-three people have died and 182 are injured after an explosion ripped through a wedding hall in the Afghan capital of Kabul.

The blast happened at the Dubai City venue in the west of the city, which is home to many members of the Shiite Hazara community, with hundreds thought to be inside.

The interior ministry confirmed the death toll, which a presidential spokesman said was a "heinous crime" and Kabul's deadliest attack this year.

Image: The explosion took place in the packed wedding hall

Sediq Seddiqi, spokesman for President Ashraf Ghani, said on Twitter: "Devastated by the news of a suicide attack inside a wedding hall in Kabul. A heinous crime against our people; how is it possible to train a human and ask him to go and blow himself (up) inside a wedding?!!"

According to guests present, there were around 1,200 people invited to the wedding.


Image: The blast is Kabul's deadliest attack this year

Gul Mohammad told The Associate Press that the attacker set off the explosives near the stage where children had gathered.

Another guest, Ahmad Omid, said: "I was with the groom in the other room when we heard the blast and then I couldn't find anyone.

"Everyone was lying all around the hall. There are so many dead and wounded victims."

Image: Video footage showed several people being taken to hospital for treatment

Image: The explosion happened at the Dubai City venue in the west of the capital

Islamic State has claimed it is behind the blast, saying the target was people from the Shia community.

Sunni Muslim militants have repeatedly attacked Shiite minorities in Afghanistan and neighbouring Pakistan over the years.

Just three weeks ago, a Taliban suicide bomber killed 14 people and wounded 145 in an attack in western Kabul.

That incident came despite expectations of a deal between the terror group and the US, with both having reported progress in talks that would see American troops withdraw from Afghanistan in exchange for a security guarantee from the insurgents.

Image: An injured man receives treatment in hospital

Image: People outside after the venue was evacuated

Most of the 20,000 foreign troops stationed in Afghanistan are from the US, as part of a NATO mission to train, assist and advise Afghan forces in their battle against terrorist threats.

The conflict continues to take a horrific toll on civilians, with more than 3,800 - including 900 children - killed by the US and allied forces, the Taliban, IS and others last year, according to the United Nations.