Egypt condemns Kabul attack, reports embassy damage

CAIRO – 31 May 2017: Egypt strongly condemned the massive attack in Kabul, Afghanistan Wednesday morning which hit near the Egyptian Embassy in the city’s diplomatic area, killing 80 people and injuring 350 others.

In a Wednesday statement, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry offered heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, asserting that its government and people stand by Afghanistan in combating the “heinous terrorism” targeting the stability of the country.

In the statement, Egypt called on world countries to intensify their efforts to stamp out terrorism and its risks.

As a result of the massive explosion, the windows of the Egyptian Embassy and the ambassador's residence were shattered, and a security guard working at the embassy was injured.

The Foreign Ministry is following the repercussions of the blast around-the-clock to ensure members of the Egyptian Embassy in Kabul are safe.

The blast, which came during morning rush hour, caused panic in much of central Kabul, shattering windows as far as a mile away. Nearly two hours after the explosion near Zanbaq Square, a crowded area in the capital that leads to the presidential palace as well as major foreign embassies, plumes of smoke were still rising from the scene.