KABUL -- At least 80 people were killed and more than 350 were wounded in a powerful explosion in the center of Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, on May 31, Afghanistan's Health Ministry says.
The Interior Ministry urged Kabul residents to donate blood.
The huge blast occurred at the peak of Kabul's morning rush hour, in an area close to the presidential palace and foreign embassies and was caused by a car bomb, police said.
Basir Mujahid, a spokesman for Kabul police, said the blast occurred near the fortified entrance to the German Embassy.
"It was a car bomb near the German Embassy, but there are several other important compounds and offices near there too. It is hard to say what the exact target is," Mujahid said.
The Iranian embassy, which is also located in the area, sustained severe damage. The official news agency, IRNA, reports that the residence of the Iranian ambassador was heavily damaged and part of the building has been destroyed. Reports from Kabul and Iran indicate, there have been no casualties in the Iranian diplomatic compound.