Blast at hotel in central Kabul kills and injures several, officials say
A blast occurred at a hotel in central Kabul’s Shahr-e-Naw district on January 19, 2026, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries.
The explosion struck a hotel in a heavily guarded commercial area known for office buildings, shopping complexes, and embassies, one of Kabul’s safest zones. Officials including Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran and Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani confirmed casualties but provided no exact numbers initially.
Later updates indicated at least seven people killed and around 20 injured, including women and a child, treated at a hospital run by the NGO EMERGENCY. Social media videos showed debris, smoke, and a large hole in the hotel facade.
Authorities stated the cause remains unclear, with no group claiming responsibility as of the latest reports. This incident follows ongoing security challenges in Afghanistan despite Taliban control since 2021.
