Deadly blast hits bank in Afghan city of Kandahar

An explosion has occurred in a branch of the New Kabul Bank in the city of Kandahar in southern Afghanistan, TASS reports, citing the TOLOnews television channel.

According to its sources, the explosion occurred in the bank's branch near the building of the Kandahar police department.

At least 19 people were killed and more than 20 wounded, Tasnim agency reported, citing sources.

Hasht-e Subh, on the other hand, quoted sources as saying the blast occurred when members of the radical Taliban movement, which has seized power in the country, came to the bank's branch to collect their salaries. There were reportedly casualties among the Taliban, but no exact number was given.