'Multiple casualties' after powerful explosion hits Kabul mosque

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Kabul's Emergency Hospital said on Twitter they had received 27 patients wounded in the blast, including a seven-year-old child.

Police said there were multiple casualties but did not say how many. (Reuters Archive)

A huge explosion has struck a mosque in Kabul during evening prayers, witnesses and police have said, with many feared dead or injured.

Police said on Wednesday there were multiple casualties but did not say how many.

One Taliban intelligence official told Reuters news agency that as many as 35 people may have been wounded or killed, and the toll could rise further. 

Kabul's Emergency Hospital said on Twitter they had received 27 patients wounded in the blast, including a seven-year-old child.

Witnesses told Reuters the powerful explosion was heard in a northern Kabul neighbourhood, shattering windows in nearby buildings. Ambulances were rushed to the spot.

"A blast happened inside a mosque...the blast has casualties, but the numbers are not clear yet," Kabul police spokesperson Khalid Zadran told Reuters.

The Taliban intelligence official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the explosion occurred in a mosque among worshippers in Khair Khana area of Kabul.

The Imam of the mosque was among those killed and the toll could still rise, the source added. Intelligence teams were at blast site and investigations were ongoing.

Other officials in the Taliban government did not reply to multiple requests to confirm the number of casualties.

READ MORE: Blast hits busy shopping street in Kabul, several injured

Source: Reuters

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/multiple-casualties-after-powerful-explosion-hits-kabul-mosque/?feed_id=12239&_unique_id=62fd35a2852a0

Powerful earthquake strikes northern Philippines, felt in capital

The US Geological Survey said the 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Abra province and was strongly felt in the capital Manila, with no casualties reported so far.

The quake was also felt strongly in Manila and the city's metro rail systems had been halted at rush hour after the quake, the transport ministry said. (TRTWorld)

A 7.1-magnitude earthquake has hit the northern Philippines, the US Geological Survey said, shattering windows of buildings at the epicentre and shaking high-rise towers more than 300 kilometres away in the capital Manila.

The quake was at a depth of 10 kilometres, USGS added.

USGS initially said the quake measured at 6.8 magnitude and the earthquake's epicentre was about 11 kilometres east-southeast of Dolores.

The quake was also felt strongly in Manila and the city's metro rail systems had been halted at rush hour after the quake, the transport ministry said.

The shallow quake struck Abra province on the main island of Luzon at 8:43 am and the local seismological agency warned damage was expected.

A hospital in Abra province evacuated after a partial collapse following the quake.

No casualties reported

In Dolores, which felt the full force of the quake, terrified people ran outside their buildings and windows of the local market were shattered, Police Major Edwin Sergio told AFP news agency.

"The quake was very strong," Sergio said, adding there were minor cracks in the police station building.

So far, no casualties or major damage have been reported.

Renato Solidum, director of the state seismology agency, told DZMM radio station, that the quake could have caused damage in Abra where Dolores is located, but did not see damage in Manila.

"In the capital region, it was not destructive. I think it does not have an effect on structures but good to inspect vital facilities like the MRT."

Source: TRTWorld and agencies

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/powerful-earthquake-strikes-northern-philippines-felt-in-capital/?feed_id=2622&_unique_id=62e0a5a658eb0