More than 60 people have died following coordinated terrorist attacks in and around Kabul’s major international airport
- There have been twin bomb attacks and mass shootings at Kabul’s major international airport as thousands flee following the Taliban takeover
- The explosions were set off by suicide bombers at the Abbey gate where US and British forces are positioned, as well as at a nearby hotel.
- It’s believed more than 60 people have died and at least 140 people have been injured
US President Joe Biden has just addressed the press who says the terrorists behind the attacks will pay.
The situation is unfolding by the minute, here’s what we know so far
The Pentagon has confirmed that there have been twin bomb attacks and gunfire at and around the boundaries of Kabul’s major international airport.
It’s believed that the twin bomb attacks were followed by gunman opening fire.
This all comes as the US withdrawal date of August 31 approaches at rapid pace with evacuations continuing.
The first blast was positioned at the Abbey gate, where US and UK special forces have been positioned to safely ferry civilians into the terminal the second blast was at a nearby hotel.
We are hearing reports that at least 60 people have died and 130 are injured as a result of the attacks.
Among these casualties are 11 US Marines and a medic with the blasts and gunfire following warnings that there could be militant attacks.
General Kenneth McKenzie from the US Department of Defence is on the ground in Afghanistan.
In a statement, the US Secretary of Defence Llyod Austin says: “on behalf of the men and women at the Department I express my deepest condolences to the loved ones and teammates of all those killed and wounded in Kabul today.”
Meanwhile, the nation’s evacuation efforts will continue, with General McKenzie saying there are still around 1,000 American citizens still in Afghanistan.
The US believe ISIS is behind the attack and the possibility of further attacks is very likely as officials on the ground remain on high alert
The US is working with the Taliban and sharing information in a bid to prevent any similar attacks in the last few days of evacuations.
The US will not send in any further troops to Afghanistan at this stage and officials believe the Taliban has already helped to prevent some previous attacks.
Around 5,000 people are still at the airport waiting to be evacuated by their respective countries.
Drones and other forms of aerial surveillance are being deployed to monitor the situation and scenes on the ground.
Meanwhile, Britain will continue its evacuation efforts for now, here’s the nation’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the delicate situation:
