KABUL: The death toll in a bombing at a national ID distribution centre in Kabul on Sunday has climbed to at least 57, a Public Health Ministry official said.
Among the dead were 22 women and eight children, Afghan Public Health Ministry spokesman Wahidullah Majroh said, adding that at least 119 injured in the incident had been brought to hospitals.
The on-foot suicide bomber set off his explosive vest outside the ID distribution centre in the western neighbourhood of Kabul, Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish said. Emergency, an Italian NGO operating a hospital for war victims in Kabul, said at least 42 people injured in the bombing had been admitted to its trauma centre.
The centre targeted in the attack was set up to provide identification cards to voters ahead of parliamentary and provincial council elections slated for October.
Such centres have been set up by the government in hopes of increasing voter turnout.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
