Update:

At 11:05 pm local time, at least 4 people died and 119 people were wounded when a large truck bomb detonated outside of the German consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan. All German staff have been accounted for and are unharmed.

A spokesman for the German Foreign Ministry said all its two dozen German staff members were “safe and uninjured” after the bombing, adding that Afghan security forces and German special forces had “repulsed the heavily armed attackers.”- LA Times

Taliban claimed the attack on the consulate, stating it was in retaliation for recent NATO airstrikes in the area.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was in retaliation for NATO air strikes against a village near the northern city of Kunduz last week in which more than 30 people were killed.- Reuters

The large bomb reportedly caused significant damage to the consulate building and surrounding area.

Initial reports indicate that there has been an explosion outside of the German consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan. An earlier report said a VBIED detonated outside of the consulate building. According to local sources, two people have died and 30 have been wounded in the attack. Witnesses state that gunfire followed the explosion. Several homes were also damaged in the explosion. Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack. More details to follow as they become available.

Image courtesy of Reuters