Kabul attack: Death toll touches 50, 83 hurt

The blast left 83 others injured.

The blast took place inside a very large wedding hall on the airport road in the city.

The explosion happened at about 6.15pm local time during a large gathering of people who were marking Prophet Mohammad’s birthday, officials told Tolo News.

The blast rocked the Uranus Wedding Hall in the city.

Afghanistan's Ministry of interior (MoI) spokesman Najib Danish told TOLOnews that the blast was reportedly a suicide bombing. 

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani  has condemned the blast.

"Pres. @ashrafghani condemns the terrorist attack on a gathering commemorating birthday of Prophet Mohammad SAW in Kabul. He sent his thoughts and condolences to the bereaved families of victims while instructing the authorities to use every possible mean for cure to the wounded," the official Twitter page of the Afghanistan President posted.

“This is an attack on Islamic values, and followers of Prophet Mohammad SAW. It is an attack on humanity,” said President Ghani.

The President has declared Nov 21 as the day of mourning.

The national flag will be flown at half-mast all over Afghanistan and Afghan diplomatic missions abroad on Wednesday.

World condemns attack:

Indian Embassy in Afghanistan condemned the attack and tweeted: "We condemn in the strongest possible words the henious and cowardly terrorist attack in #Kabul today which resulted in the death and injury of scores of innocent Afghans."

Reacting to the incident, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said in a statement: "Pakistan strongly condemns the terrorist attack on a wedding hall in Kabul that has killed more than 40 people celebrating the birth anniversary of the Holy Prophet peace be upon him. Perpetrators are condemnable for this heinous attack by all religious and human standards. We condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations."

U.S. Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan John R. Bass tweeted: "Sickened and deeply saddened by tonight’s terror attack as the Ulema Council marked the Prophet’s Birthday. I extend our condolences to the families and followers of those killed and wounded."

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has “strongly condemned” the terrorist attack targeting a religious gathering in the Afghan capital, Kabul, which claimed dozens of civilian lives.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, the Secretary-General reiterated that the deliberate targeting of civilians is a “clear violation of international humanitarian law.”

He said “every effort” should be made to bring the perpetrators to justice.

In the statement, Guterres also extended his deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.