BREAKING NEWS: Kabul explosion claims more than 80 lives, one suicide bomber confirmed
CORRECTION
The Pentagon says it has determined that the attack at the Kabul airport on Thursday involved only one location and not two as was previously reported. The Pentagon said there was one Islamic State suicide bomber, whom struck at the Abbey Gate.
Third Update 12:30 p.m. Thursday, August 26
KABUL, Afghanistan (KYMA, KECY/AP/CNN) - An Afghanistan's Ministry of Public Health official has confirmed more than 80 deaths and 140 people wounded, including U.S. service members. These atrocities are the result of two suicide bombers.
According to CNN, an American defense official says their team has been concerned with a "very specific threat" involving a group in Afghanistan which is affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant.
Statement on this morning's attack at #HKIA: pic.twitter.com/Qb1DIAJQJU
— John Kirby (@PentagonPresSec) August 26, 2021
Pentagon Spokesman John Kirby also confirms that some of the lives taken are indeed U.S. service members.
Second Update 7:57 a.m. Thursday, August 26
KABUL, Afghanistan (KYMA, KECY/AP/CNN) - The Russian Foreign Ministry confirms a suicide bomber has killed at least two people and wounded 15.
At 7:34 a.m., Pentagon Spokesman John Kirby said the Pentagon was unsure of the amount of people injured and/or dead.
We can confirm that the explosion near the Abbey Gate of the Kabul airport has resulted in an unknown number of casualties. We will continue to update.
— John Kirby (@PentagonPresSec) August 26, 2021
Not even 20 minutes later, The Associated Press (AP) heard from Russia that it was a suicide attack.
An Afghan man says he was about 30 meters from the blast. After the explosion, the witness says he allegedly saw people dead, or appeared to be killed, missing body parts.
Three U.S. officials and a source at the scene told CNN that there are American personnel among the casualties.
Original story 6:44 a.m. Thursday, August 26
KABUL, Afghanistan (KYMA, KECY/AP) - The Pentagon says there was a blast outside Kabul airport.
Spokesman John Kirby said there was no immediate word on casualties in the blast Thursday.
We can confirm an explosion outside Kabul airport. Casualties are unclear at this time. We will provide additional details when we can.
— John Kirby (@PentagonPresSec) August 26, 2021
Thousands of Afghans have been gathered at the airport for days trying to flee the country since the Taliban takeover earlier this month. Western nations had warned of a possible attack.
Even the United Kingdom's press office commented on the situation.
We are working urgently to establish what has happened in Kabul and its impact on the ongoing evacuation effort.
— Ministry of Defence Press Office (@DefenceHQPress) August 26, 2021
This is a developing story. Please stay with KYMA.com for continuing details.
