Two Injured in Blast at UN Afghanistan Compound

Two injured after blast strikes UN compound in southern Afghanistan

A car bomb exploded outside the United Nations compound in Kandahar in southern Afghanistan today, injuring two people.

All international staff working at the UN's Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) offices in Kandahar have been told to stay indoors, and all local staff have been sent home, pending further instructions.

The blast occurred less than three months after an explosion in Baghdad tore through the UN's Iraq headquarters. The blast there on 19 August killed 22 people, including the UN's senior envoy in Iraq, Sergio Vieira de Mello.

In today's attack in Kandahar, a local UNAMA security guard was hurt, while a nearby Afghan civilian also suffered minor burns.

A spokesman for the Secretary-General said the blast, which occurred about 3.50pm local time, came from a vehicle packed with explosives parked just outside the compound.

The UN's Mine Action Centre, local police and Coalition troops have begun an investigation into the explosion, which smashed the windows and doors of the main UN building and caused damage to a building occupied by the UN Office for Project Services.

UNAMA has condemned the attack, saying that by restricting the movement of UN staff in Kandahar, it hurts the Afghan people.

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