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Numerous fatalities, injuries reported after blasts at Shiite mosque in Afghanistan

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Social Links for Yaron Steinbuch
Published Oct. 15, 2021
Updated Oct. 15, 2021, 9:22 a.m. ET
Multiple fatalities have been reported after a bomb blast at a mosque in the southern Kandahar province in Afghanistan on Oct. 15, 2021. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

At least 37 people were killed and over 70 wounded when explosions tore through a Shiite mosque in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar during Friday prayers — the second attack in a week that left worshipers from the minority sect dead, according to reports.

A local reporter told Reuters that eyewitnesses had described three suicide attackers, one of whom blew himself up at the entrance to the mosque while the two others set off their devices inside the building.

“The situation is very bad. Mirwais hospital is messaging and calling on young people to give blood,” the reporter told the outlet, referring to where the dead and wounded had been rushed.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, which took place a week after ISIS claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing that killed 46 worshipers at a Shiite mosque in the northern city of Kunduz.

The cause of the explosion has yet to be identified.
The explosions have been blamed on three suicide bombers. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

The extremist group, which is opposed to the ruling Taliban, views Shiite Muslims as apostates who deserve to die.

A group of men stand inside the mosque following the blast that injured at least 13 people.
A group of men stand inside the mosque following the blasts that injured at least 13 people. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Members of Taliban stand guard near the Shiite mosque, where at least seven people were killed and dozens wounded in a series of explosions on Oct. 15, 2021.
Members of the Taliban stand guard near the Shiite mosque, where at least seven people were killed and dozens wounded in a series of explosions. AFP via Getty Images

The local ISIS affiliate, known as Islamic State Khorasan, has ramped up attacks following the Taliban victory over the Western-backed government in Kabul.

Sunni Muslims fighting for ISIS have repeatedly targeted Shiites. The Taliban are also strict Sunni Muslims but have vowed to protect all ethnic and sectarian groups since they swept into power in August.

The explosion comes one week removed from an attack on a Shiite mosque in Kunduz, which ISIS claimed responsibility.
The explosions come one week removed from an attack on a Shiite mosque in Kunduz, for which ISIS claimed responsibility. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
A witness reported he heard three blasts occur throughout the mosque in Kandahar.
A witness reported he heard three blasts occur throughout the mosque in Kandahar. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

An eyewitness told Agence France-Presse he heard three blasts, one at the main door of the mosque, another at a southern area, and a third where worshipers clean themselves.

Interior ministry spokesman Qari Sayed Khosti said in a tweet: “We are saddened to learn that an explosion took place in a mosque of the Shiite brotherhood in the first district of Kandahar city in which a number of our compatriots were martyred and wounded.”

The mosque was said to be full at the time of explosion during Friday's prayers.
The mosque was said to be full at the time of the explosions during Friday prayers. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

He added: “Special forces of the Islamic Emirate have arrived in the area to determine the nature of the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice.”

An AFP journalist reported that the mosque was full of people at the time of the explosions.

Gruesome images posted to social media, which could not be immediately verified, showed bodies lying on the floor of the mosque.