At least 42 children were injured in an explosion at an educational centre in western Kabul on Monday, sparking international calls for a full investigation.
The blast struck on Monday evening in Dasht-e-Barchi, a densely populated district of the Afghan capital with largeHazara and Shi'ite communities that has been the scene of repeated deadly attacks over the past decade.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said children between the ages of nine and 14 were among those wounded.
UNAMA expressed sympathy for the wounded children, stressing that schools and educational centres must remain safe, while calling for an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the blast.
Medical officials said many of the injured suffered shrapnel wounds.
The EMERGENCY hospital in Kabul, which treated dozens of victims, said at least 35 children were admitted following the explosion.
"All the patients were suffering from shrapnel injuries, with at least three of them requiring surgical care," said Dejan Panic, the hospital's Afghanistan country director.
According to the hospital, all children it treated were between 10 and 14 years old.
The exact cause of the explosion remains unclear, with authorities yet to release detailed findings.
Taliban officials said an investigation was underway.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the attack may have been carried out by Islamic State militants or groups linked to them, adding that security forces were working to identify and arrest those responsible.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility, while the Taliban-run Kabul police department did not publicly comment on the incident.
The explosion drew swift condemnation from international officials and rights groups.
Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, described it as a "heinous attack" and called for accountability.
The European Union's mission in Afghanistan also condemned the incident, saying that "deliberate attacks on children and education centres are unacceptable."
Several organisations renewed calls for stronger protection of civilians and educational institutions, particularly in communities subjected to repeated attacks.
Dasht-e-Barchi has seen some of Afghanistan's deadliest attacks in recent years.
The area's largely Hazara and Shi'ite population has frequently been targeted by extremist groups, including Islamic State's regional affiliate.
examination killed at least 19 people, many of them young women and teenage girls.
According to rights organisations and UN reports, Hazara and Shi'ite communities have faced dozens of attacks on civilian locations since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
Monday's explosion has renewed fears over the safety of students and educational facilities in Afghanistan, particularly in areas with a history of sectarian violence.
As investigators seek to establish the cause of the blast, international organisations are urging authorities to ensure accountability and strengthen protections for children, schools and vulnerable communities.
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