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Several killed and wounded outside Kabul airport in third blast

Third 'powerful' blast took place outside Kabul International Airport on Thursday night, leaving several dead and wounded.

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Several killed and wounded outside Kabul airport in third blast
Several killed and wounded outside Kabul airport in third blast

At least 12 US service members were killed in the Afghanistan bombings, including 11 Marines and one Navy medic, according to two US officials.

Officials say a number of US military troops were wounded. They warn, however, that the numbers may grow.

As many as 60 people have been killed and 120 others wounded in three blasts that rocked Kabul.

According to AP news agency, two suicide bombers and gunmen attacked crowds of Afghans flocking to Kabul’s airport Thursday, transforming a scene of desperation into one of horror in the waning days of an airlift for those fleeing the Taliban takeover.

At least 60 Afghans and 12 US troops were killed, Afghan and US officials said.

US officials said 11 Marines and one Navy medic were among those who died. They said another 12 service members were wounded and warned the toll could grow. More than 140 Afghans were wounded, an Afghan official said.

The US general overseeing the evacuation vowed the United States would “go after” the perpetrators of the bombings, and warned that more such attacks are expected.

“We are working very hard right now to determine attribution, to determine who is associated with this cowardly attack. And we’re prepared to take action against them,” Gen. Frank McKenzie, head of US Central Command, told Pentagon reporters in a briefing. “Twenty-four-seven. We are looking for them.”

Shortly after McKenzie spoke, the Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the killings on its Amaq news channel. McKenzie said the attacks would not stop the United States from evacuating Americans and others, and flights out were continuing.

He said there was a large amount of security at the airport, and alternate routes were being used to get evacuees in. In addition to the many Afghans, the State Department estimated there were as many as 1,000 Americans in Afghanistan who may want help getting out.

Additional input from AP

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