At least 19 people were killed in an explosion at a Quranic school in northern Afghanistan on Wednesday, according to a doctor. 24 other people were injured, said the doctor, who works at a hospital in Aybak, the capital of Samangan province. All victims are “children and ordinary people”. The radical Islamic Taliban, however, spoke of ten dead and others wounded.
According to the doctor, some of the injured have been transferred to better equipped hospitals in Mazar-i-Sharif, about 120 kilometers away. The wounded who remained in Aybak were mainly injured by shrapnel and pressure waves. Some had shrapnel in their faces, others had broken hands and legs, the doctor said.
Explosion occurred during a prayer
According to the Taliban, the explosion happened during a prayer. A video widely shared on social media after the incident shows fallen ceilings and people angrily walking between several lifeless bodies. The video cannot be independently verified. A representative of the regional government confirmed the explosion, but did not initially provide information on the number of casualties. The Taliban, who often play down casualties, said ten students were killed and “many others” injured.
“Our investigative and security forces are working swiftly to identify the perpetrators of this unforgivable crime and punish them for their actions,” an interior ministry spokesman said on Twitter.
The suffering of the population is far from over
The human rights organization Amnesty International described the explosion as “disturbing”. It was “another reminder to the world that the suffering of the Afghan people is far from over”.
Since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, there have been numerous attacks against civilians in Afghanistan. The jihadist militia Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for most of them. This has appeared in Afghanistan since 2015 with attacks and, despite its ideological affinity, is hostile to the Taliban.
Suicide attack on women’s ward in Kabul
At least 54 people were killed in a suicide attack on the women’s ward of an education center in Kabul at the end of September. At least four people were killed in an explosion at a mosque in Kabul on October 5.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
