Updated May 9, 2021 - World
Death toll from vehicle bombing near school in Afghan capital rises to 58
People gather at the scene of the bombing. Photo: Haroon Sabawoon/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Officials in Afghanistan said Sunday the death toll from a vehicle bombing outside a school in the capital, Kabul, has risen to 58, and hospitals were treating "at least 150" wounded people, per Reuters.
Why it matters: Saturday's blast that killed multiple high school girls is at least the second to strike students in Afghanistan in a little over a week.
- Violence in Afghanistan has escalated since President Biden announced that the U.S. would begin withdrawing troops in May and would complete a full withdrawal by Sept. 11, 2021.
The big picture: No group has claimed responsibility for Saturday's attack, which occurred as the high school was hosting female students for classes.
- Afghan President Ashraf Ghani blamed the bombing on the Taliban, though the group condemned the attack via Twitter.
- A vehicle bombing outside of a public building last week in Logar Province killed at least 25 people and injured more than 60, including multiple high school students.
Go deeper: Hillary Clinton, Condi Rice concerned about Afghan troop withdrawal
Editor's note: This story has been updated throughout.