President Ashraf Ghani has condemned a massive bomb attack in Afghanistah's capital Kabul, which killed at least 90 people, as "cowardly".
A suicide attacker detonated a bomb hidden inside a tanker truck close to the heavily protected diplomatic area during the morning rush hour.
Security forces a the site of the attack, described by a resident as "like a heavy earthquake". Photo: AFP
Some 400 people were injured by the blast, which left a deep crater.
Many of the casualties appear to have been people on their way to work or school and office workers in nearby buildings.
Most of the casualties were Afghans but foreign nationals were also injured, including 11 US citizens. The bomb exploded close to the German embassy, where a number of staff were injured.
No group has said it carried out the attack but Taliban militants denied being involved. Recent bomb attacks in Kabul have been claimed either by the Taliban or Islamic State.
Authorities in Germany postponed a deportation flight due to return failed Afghan asylum seekers, with a government source telling AFP news agency that diplomatic and consular staff had "more important things to do than to deal with organisational matters" so soon after the attack.
President Ashraf Ghani condemned the attack, which will add to pressure on his government, already facing mounting discontent over its inability to provide security.
The bomb went off at about 08.20am local time near Zanbaq Square, outside the Green Zone, Capt William Salvin, spokesman for Nato's Resolute Support Mission, told the BBC.
Reports vary as to the kind of vehicle used to deliver the bomb - either a water or sewage tanker. More than 50 other vehicles were destroyed.
One Western diplomatic source told AFP news agency the blast had been caused by more than 1500kg of explosives.
The area is home to key buildings including embassies and the presidential palace.
"I have never seen such a terrible explosion in my life," local shop owner Sayed Rahman told Reuters news agency after his store was badly damaged.
Another resident, Abdul Wahid, told the BBC the blast had been "like a heavy earthquake"
Ten New Zealanders are currently registered as being in Afghanistan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said there was nothing to suggest any New Zealanders had been caught up in the bombing.
- BBC / Reuters
