A violent blast ripped through a Chinese restaurant in the heart of Kabul on Monday afternoon, claiming at least seven lives and leaving more than a dozen others injured. The explosion occurred in the Shahr-e-Naw district, an area famous for its vibrant flower markets, sending shockwaves through a neighborhood usually crowded with shoppers.
Emergency services scrambled to the scene as police cordoned off the street. According to Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran, the incident took place at the “Chinese Noodle” restaurant, an establishment known to cater primarily to Chinese Muslims.
While initial reports from officials suggested the target was a hotel, Zadran later clarified the location and provided a breakdown of the casualties.
“A Chinese Muslim, Ayub, and six Afghans were killed, and several others were wounded. The blast occurred near the kitchen,” Zadran said in a statement.
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The Italian medical NGO EMERGENCY, which operates a surgical center in the vicinity, confirmed the severity of the incident. Dejan Panic, the NGO’s country director, released a statement detailing the influx of victims: “Among the wounded are four women and a child,” Panic noted, adding that the hospital had received “seven people dead on arrival” while 13 others required urgent surgical intervention.
The explosion occurred around 3:30 pm (1100 GMT), a time when the flower-lined streets of Shahr-e-Naw are typically at their busiest. One local florist, who asked to remain anonymous due to security concerns, described the moment the “strong sound” of the blast echoed through the market.
“It was an emergency situation. Everybody feared for his own life,” he told AFP. “I could see at least five wounded.”
Despite the carnage, the street was remarkably reopened to traffic within hours. Passersby could see the shattered windows of the building opposite the restaurant, though the entrance to the eatery remained covered as investigators combed the site.
The incident comes at a sensitive time for the Taliban administration, which has prioritized the restoration of security to attract international business and replace dwindling foreign aid. Chinese investors, in particular, have become a frequent sight in Kabul since 2021, drawn by the Taliban’s efforts to court Beijing.
However, security remains a challenge. This latest tragedy echoes a 2022 attack claimed by the Islamic State group on a Kabul hotel popular with Chinese nationals. While the cause of Monday’s blast is still under investigation, it underscores the persistent risks facing foreign interests in the capital.
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