Afghanistan: Children among at least 55 killed in bomb attack on Kabul school

From Sky News

At least 55 people – most believed to be female students – have been killed in a bomb attack on a school in west Kabul, according to Afghan government officials. At least 150 are also reported to have been injured by the blast, which happened in the Shia-majority neighbourhood of Dasht-i-Barchi.

No group has yet claimed responsibility. The Afghan president blamed the Taliban for the attack – but they pointed the finger at Islamic State.

Most of the casualties are believed to be female students between 11 and 15 years old, who were leaving school at the time of the attack. The school operates three shifts, the second of which is for girls, said education ministry spokeswoman Najiba Arian.

“The horrendous attack in Dasht-i Barchi area in Kabul, is an despicable act of terrorism,” the EU mission in
Afghanistan said on Twitter.”Targeting primarily students in a girls’ school, makes this an attack on the future of Afghanistan.”