Official: 95 dead, 158 wounded in Afghan attack; Tillerson condemns as 'inhumane'

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP)

The latest on explosion in Afghanistan (all times local):

12:50 a.m.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson says the Taliban’s use of an ambulance as a weapon to target civilians in a bombing in Afghanistan’s capital “represents inhumane disregard for the people of Afghanistan.”

A suicide bomber drove an ambulance into a commercial area by pretending to be carrying a patient on Saturday and then detonated his explosives at a checkpoint near the European Union consulate. At least 95 people were killed and 158 more were wounded.

The Taliban claims responsibility.

Tillerson says the ambulance attack is “a violation of the most basic international norms.”

Saturday’s powerful explosion came a week after Taliban militants killed 22 people at an international hotel in Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul.

6:30 P.M.

The Afghan Public Health Ministry says death toll in suicide car bomb attack in Kabul has risen to 95, with 158 wounded in the deadliest insurgent attack in the country so far this year.

Wahid Majroh, a spokesman for the public health ministry, said that the toll might still rise, because reports from the hospital show many of the wounded appear to be in critical condition.

5 p.m.

Afghan Public Health Ministry says death toll in suicide car bomb attack in Kabul has risen to 63, with 151 wounded in the deadliest insurgent attack in the country so far this year.

Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, claimed responsibility for the attack, which sent thick, dark smoke into the sky from from the site of the explosion near the government's former Interior Ministry building.

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2:50 p.m.

The Afghan Public Health Ministry says 40 people have been killed and 140 wounded in a suicide car bombing in the capital Kabul claimed by the Taliban.

Nasrat Rahimi, deputy spokesperson for the Interior Ministry, said the attacker used an ambulance to get through one security checkpoint by telling police he was taking a patient to a nearby hospital. He detonated his explosives at a second check point, Rahimi said.

Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, claimed responsibility for the attack, which sent thick, dark smoke into the sky from from the site of the explosion near the government's former Interior Ministry building.

2:20 p.m.

The Afghan Public Health Ministry says 17 people have been killed and 110 wounded in a suicide car bombing in the capital Kabul claimed by the Taliban.

Nasrat Rahimi, deputy spokesperson for the Interior Ministry, said the attacker used an ambulance to get through one security checkpoint by telling police he was taking a patient to a nearby hospital. He detonated his explosives at a second check point, Rahimi said.

Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, claimed responsibility for the attack, which sent thick, dark smoke into the sky from from the site of the explosion near the government's former Interior Ministry building.

2 p.m.

An Interior Ministry official says a suicide car bomb attack in the Afghan capital Kabul has left at least 70 wounded.

Nasrat Rahimi, deputy spokesperson for the ministry has confirmed the Saturday morning attack.

Thick, dark smoke can be seen rising from the site of the Saturday explosion near the old Interior Ministry building.

Kabul has been the site of numerous bombing attacks claimed by the Islamic State group and the Taliban over the last year.

1:45 p.m.

A government official says at least 18 people have been wounded in an explosion in the city center of Afghanistan's capital Kabul.

Ismail Kawasi, spokesman for the Public Health Ministry, says 18 wounded have been brought to hospitals, but he expects the casualty count to rise as ambulances bring in more victims.

Thick, dark smoke can be seen rising from the site of the Saturday explosion near the old Interior Ministry building.

1:25 p.m.

An official says a powerful explosion has rocked the city center in the Afghan capital of Kabul.

Thick, dark smoke can be seen rising into the sky following a loud explosion near the old Interior Ministry building Saturday.

Nasrat Rahimi, deputy spokesperson for the ministry, says it's not immediately clear if anyone was killed or wounded.

However, Associated Press reporters saw ambulances rushing toward the site.

Kabul has been the site of numerous bombing attacks claimed by the Islamic State group and the Taliban over the last year.