Death toll reaches five in Kabul blast near U.S. embassy

Afghanistan's Ministry of Interior has confirmed that at least five people have been killed and eight others injured in an explosion near the United States Embassy in Kabul.

The officials had earlier said that eight people were taken to the Wazir Akbar Khan Hospital, Tolo News reported.

The blast occurred outside the Kabul Bank close to the diplomatic quarters and the U.S. embassy.

Few nearby buildings also suffered substantial damage.

No group has taken the responsibility for the blast so far.