Roadside bomb kills seven in Mazar-i-Sharif

MAZAR-I-SHARIF, Afghanistan: A roadside bomb killed seven petroleum company employees commuting to work on a packed bus in northern Afghanistan´s biggest city, an official and survivors said on Tuesday.

A police official told AFP that Tuesday´s blast happened around 7:00 am (0230 GMT) in Mazar-i-Sharif -- an ancient city famed for its beautiful blue mosque. “I was reciting the Holy Qura’an on my phone screen and there was a boom,” survivor Azim, whose right leg was injured by shrapnel, told AFP.

Mohammad Hanif, who was also hurt in the blast, said there were around 52 people aboard the bus at the time. Seven people were killed and six others wounded according to Asif Waziri, spokesman for the Balkh province police department.

“The bomb was placed in a cart by the roadside. It was detonated as the bus arrived,” he said. There has so far been no claim of responsibility.