Islamic State struck the crowded gates of Kabul airport in a suicide bomb attack on Thursday, killing scores of civilians and 12 U.S. troops, and throwing into mayhem the airlift of tens of thousands of Afghans desperate to flee.
Kabul health officials were quoted as saying 60 civilians were killed. Video shot by Afghan journalists showed dozens of bodies strewn around a canal on the edge of the airport. At least two blasts rocked the area, witnesses said.
Three powerful explosions occurred outside Kabul’s international airport a few hours ago.
Australia, the US and UK issued alerts to their citizens. Those already outside the airport are advised to leave the area immediately.
More than 82,000 people have been airlifted from Kabul, which fell to the Taliban 10 days ago.
Taliban took over Kabul on 15 August.
Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani left the capital Kabul for Tajikistan.
The Taliban declared the "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan", marking a nail in the coffin of the US-backed Afghan government.
