Updated: 1130 hrs Aug 27
ISLAMABAD, Aug 27 (APP): At least 90 people including 13 US Marines were killed in a suspected ISIS bomb attack at the Kabul airport, that targeted US troops, foreigners and Afghans trying to leave the capital Kabul, Thursday evening.
The BBC quoting Afghan health officials said the number of dead in the twin bomb blasts has risen to 90, while the number of injured was over 150. The Pentagon confirmed that 13 US Servicemen were among those killed in the deadly blasts.
Dozens were killed when two powerful bomb blasts hit the perimeter of the airport in Kabul on Thursday
Here's what we know about the attack https://t.co/wUn28rh68R
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) August 27, 2021
A statement from the US Central Command said another US service member died following the attack at the Kabul airport Thursday raising the total to 13 US service members while the number of injured were now 18. According to Capt. Bill Urban, a spokesperson for CENTCOM:
“I can confirm that subsequent to Gen. [Kenneth “Frank” ] McKenzie’s remarks, a thirteenth US service member has died from his wounds suffered as a result of the attack on Abbey Gate,” Urban said. “The latest number of injured is now 18.”
President Joe Biden in an address to the nation warned the terrorists behind the Kabul airport attack: “We will hunt you down and make you pay.”
“We will not forgive. We will not forget. We will hunt you down and make you pay,” Biden said in early evening remarks from the White House.
President Biden warns terrorists behind the Kabul airport attack: "We will hunt you down and make you pay" https://t.co/PdzgK9mH6B
— CNN (@CNN) August 26, 2021
According to Christiaan Triebert, who works for Visual Investigations at the New York Times the suicide bomber, identified as Abdul Rahman al-Loghari by Amaq News Agency, came as close as five meters from the U.S. forces before blowing himself up.
The suicide bomber, identified as Abdul Rahman al-Loghari by Amaq News Agency, came as close as five meters from U.S. forces before blowing himself up. Worth pointing out: this is a claim for a single suicide bomber. There's a lot of unclarity about the other reported explosions.
— Christiaan Triebert (@trbrtc) August 26, 2021
Meanwhile the NATO spokesman said the evacuations from Kabul would not stop.
According to the Pentagon press secretary John Kirby a number of US service members were killed. He said the explosion occurred at Abbey Gate, which was being used by the U.S. personnel to help evacuate American citizens and board the flights, and the Baron Hotel, around 300 meters from the site of the first blast. British troops had been using the hotel as a base for evacuating UK personnel.
Statement on this morning's attack at #HKIA: pic.twitter.com/Qb1DIAJQJU
— John Kirby (@PentagonPresSec) August 26, 2021
The spokespersons of the Taliban condemned the attack and said the Islamic Emirate was focusing to provide security and protection of its people. He vowed that the evil doers will be dealt with strictly.
The US State department immediately after the blast in an alert said a large explosion at the airport, and said there were reports of gunfire. It advised the U.S. citizens to avoid traveling to the airport and avoid airport gates. Those at the Abbey Gate, East Gate, or North Gate now should leave immediately.
#Afghanistan: There has been a large explosion at the airport, and there are reports of gunfire. U.S. citizens should avoid traveling to the airport and avoid airport gates. Those at the Abbey Gate, East Gate, or North Gate now should leave immediately. https://t.co/q216Qs8GuB pic.twitter.com/wdd3Rtdbse
— Travel – State Dept (@TravelGov) August 26, 2021
Pakistan strongly condemned what it called was a “heinous terrorist attack” at Kabul airport, which reportedly resulted in loss of precious lives, incl. children.
“We condemn terrorism in all forms & manifestations, convey our condolences to bereaved families & pray for early recovery of the injured,” a statement from the Foreign Office said.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in a message said “the barbaric terrorist attack in Kabul shows the importance of continuing Operation PITTING to the end. The majority of those eligible have been evacuated and our teams are getting through to people as fast as they can. We will keep going until the last moment.”
The barbaric terrorist attack in Kabul shows the importance of continuing Operation PITTING to the end.
The majority of those eligible have been evacuated and our teams are getting through to people as fast as they can.
We will keep going until the last moment. pic.twitter.com/JefqWIncnJ
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) August 26, 2021
The Afghan Tolo News shared a video showing the injured being shifted to hospitals in ambulances.
Video: Casualties from bombing attacks at the Kabul airport have been transferred to Emergency Hospital. Reuters quoted a Taliban official saying at least 13 people have been killed. The US Pentagon is reporting at least 2 blasts, one near Abbey Gate & the other near Baron Hotel. pic.twitter.com/vgs7pudEcA
— TOLOnews (@TOLOnews) August 26, 2021
Report Compilation for APP Digital by Shafek Koreshe