Updated May 9, 2021 - World

Death toll from vehicle bombing near school in Afghan capital rises to 58

Jacob Knutson

A view from the site after at least 30 people, mostly schoolgirls, have been killed in three back-to-back blasts targeting a school in Afghanistanâs capital Kabul on May 08, 2021. — 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.

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Death toll from vehicle bombing near school in Afghan capital rises to 58

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