At least 95 people were killed and more than 150 injured by an explosion in a central district of Kabul, close to where several embassies and government buildings are located, Reuters said citing a health ministry official.

Preliminary reports say the explosion occurred close to the building which formerly housed Afghanistan’s Interior Ministry. An eyewitness told the news outlet the blast was caused by a car bomb, which detonated near the gates of the former ministry building.

The explosive device was hidden in an ambulance and detonated at a police checkpoint in the Afghan capital.

#Kabul - Video shows the aftermath of a heavy explosion close to the old Ministry of Interior building in Kabul's PD2. pic.twitter.com/T03iI0qicB — TOLOnews (@TOLOnews) January 27, 2018

A thick plume of smoke is coming from the blast site, according to TOLO News

The Taliban has claimed credit for the blast, according to Pajhwok. It comes just a week after a deadly attack on the Intercontinental Hotel in the city, likewise claimed by the Taliban

17 killed and 110 wounded in #Kabul suicide attack claimed by the #Taliban.#Afghanistanpic.twitter.com/uPkXwTmAMf — Pajhwok Afghan News (@pajhwok) January 27, 2018

Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!