News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A suicide bomber blew himself up killing more than 50 people at a wedding hall in the Afghan capital Kabul, three government officials said.

More than 70 other people were injured in the blast, as a religious gathering to mark Prophet Mohammed's birthday was underway.

Najib Danish, a spokesman for the interior ministry, said: "A suicide bomber detonated his explosives inside a wedding hall where Islamic religious scholars had gathered to commemorate the birthday of Prophet Mohammad."

The attacker entered a banquet room in the Uranus wedding hall, a massive complex housing several large banqueting halls near Kabul airport, and detonated his explosives.

It happened at about 6.15 local time, local site Tolo News reports.

There were no immediate claims of responsibility for the blast.

(Image: REUTERS) (Image: HEDAYATULLAH AMID/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

An hour after the explosion, ambulances continued to rush to and from the scene.

The gathering was amongst Sunni Muslims, according to the Washington Post.

"Hundreds of Islamic scholars and their followers had gathered to recite verses from the holy Quran to observe the Eid Milad-un-Nabi festival at the private banquet hall," said Basir Mujahid, a spokesman for Kabul police.

Officials at Kabul's Emergency Hospital said 30 ambulances had rushed to the blast site.

There are fears the number of casualties could increase.

(Image: JAWAD JALALI/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock) (Image: HEDAYATULLAH AMID/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Local journalist Ali M Latifi tweeted: "Many people in Kabul spent the day fasting and giving charity, now end the day w tragedy.(sic)."

Another speaking about the incident on Twitter wrote that 'news about large scale loss of human lives in Kabul is heart wrenching.'

He added: "Our thoughts & prayers are with victims."