KABUL: Russian Foreign Ministry says two of its embassy staff were killed by an explosion outside Russia’s Embassy in Kabul on Monday.
The ministry didn’t offer any details as to who the staff members were or how they died. Russia’s state news agency RIA Novosti reported earlier, citing anonymous sources, that 15-20 people were killed or wounded as the result of the explosion.
According to RIA Novosti, the blast occurred when a Russian diplomat came out to the people queuing outside to call out the names of the candidates for a visa.
The agency, citing unnamed sources, says the blast occurred on Monday when a Russian diplomat came out to people waiting outside to call out the names of the candidates for a visa.
The Taliban did not immediately confirm the explosion or give any casualty figures.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the explosion, the latest to strike the country in the year since the Taliban seized power.
Local affiliates of Daesh have stepped up attacks against the Taliban and civilians since the former insurgents took over the country last year as US and NATO troops were in the final stages of their withdrawal.
Blast outside Russian Embassy in Kabul kills two embassy staff
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Blast outside Russian Embassy in Kabul kills two embassy staff
- Russia’s state news agency reports 15 to 20 other people have also been killed or wounded in the explosion
- There was no immediate claim of responsibility, though local affiliates of Daesh have been attacking Taliban, civilians
Most of Iranian women’s soccer team leave Australia
GOLD COAST: The Iranian women’s soccer team left Australia without seven squad members after tearful protests of their departure outside Sydney Airport and frantic final efforts inside the terminal by Australian officials, who sought to ensure the women understood they were being offered asylum.
As the team’s flight time drew nearer and they passed through security late on Tuesday, each woman was taken aside to meet alone with officials who explained through interpreters that they could choose not to return to Iran.
Before the team traveled to the airport, seven women had accepted humanitarian visas allowing them to remain permanently in Australia and were ushered to a safe location by Australian police officers.
One has since changed her mind, underscoring the tense and precarious nature of their decisions.
“In Australia, people are able to change their mind,” said Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, who had hours earlier posted photos of the seven women granted humanitarian visas to his social media accounts, their identities clearly visible.
After what Burke described as “emotional” meetings between the remaining women who reached the airport and Australian officials, the rest of the team declined offers of asylum and boarded their flight.
It was a dramatic conclusion to an episode that had gripped Australia since the Iranian team’s first game at the Asian Cup soccer tournament, when they remained silent during their national anthem.
