The Ministry of Interior confirmed five people were killed and at least eight wounded in an explosion outside the Kabul Bank branch in the capital on Tuesday.

The explosion ripped through downtown Kabul at about 10am on Tuesday morning.

According to officials one of the people killed in the attack was a guard at the bank.

No further details were given on casualties.

The bank, which is close to Massoud Circle, is also near the US embassy.

The wounded were all taken to the Wazir Akbar Khan hospital, officials confirmed.

Nearby buildings sustained substantial damage.

Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.