Several people were killed and others injured in an explosion that struck the Shahr-e-Naw area of Afghanistan’s capital Kabul on Monday, according to the Taliban interior ministry.

Interior Ministry spokesperson Abdul Mateen Qani told Reuters that preliminary reports indicate multiple deaths and injuries. He said further details would be shared once investigations progress.

“According to preliminary reports, a number of people were killed and injured,” Qani said.

Explosion reported in busy city area

Kabul police spokesperson Khalid Zadran said the explosion occurred in a hotel on Gulfaroshi Street in the Shahr-e-Naw area, which falls under Kabul’s fourth district. He confirmed casualties and said investigation teams were deployed to determine the nature of the blast.

#BREAKING
Sources told TOLOnews that an explosion occurred moments ago in the Shahr-e-Naw area of Kabul.

According to the sources, several civilians have been killed and others injured as a result of the explosion.

The nature of the explosion is not yet clear, and security… pic.twitter.com/qjntPc1iPS
— TOLOnews English (@TOLONewsEnglish) January 19, 2026

Authorities have not yet clarified whether the explosion took place inside a hotel, a guesthouse, or a nearby establishment.

Gas cylinder blast claim emerges

Separate reports suggested that a gas cylinder exploded at a local restaurant on Flower Street due to alleged staff negligence. According to these claims, the incident caused limited damage.

However, Taliban officials have not formally confirmed this version, and the exact cause of the explosion remains under investigation.

Witnesses describe panic and chaos

Sources cited by TOLOnews said several civilians were killed and others wounded in the blast. Witnesses reported panic in the area as a thick column of smoke rose over the neighborhood.

Footage circulating from the scene showed injured people lying on the ground as others fled. Emergency responders were seen rushing victims to nearby hospitals.

Security forces cordoned off the affected area shortly after the explosion. Taliban authorities have yet to release an official statement detailing the number of casualties or confirming the nature of the blast.

The incident has heightened concerns over security in the Afghan capital.