Kabul blast: Huge explosion hits Afghan capital

A huge explosion has hit the Afghan capital, Kabul, in an area close to foreign embassies and the presidential palace, reports BBC.

The full extent of the casualties were not immediately clear, but properties hundreds of metres away were damaged by its force.

Early reports say the blast was caused by a car bomb in central Zanbaq Square.

Images circulating on social media show a large cloud of black smoke billowing over the city.

The BBC`s Harun Nazafijada in Kabul describes a chaotic scene with multiple injuries and people being transferred to hospital. He says the central square has been cordoned off by police.

There have been sporadic deadly attacks on Kabul in recent months, all of which have highlighted the worsening security situation across Afghanistan.

Earlier this month at least eight civilians were killed in a suicide bomb attack on a Nato convoy as it was passing the US embassy.