Seven Afghans die in blast near US base

An explosion in a building near the US military headquarters in Afghanistan has killed at least seven people.

An explosion in a building near the US military headquarters in Afghanistan has killed at least seven people.

All of the victims were believed to be local people, witnesses said. Many others are thought to be trapped inside the building.

The explosion happened in a residential area about a kilometre from the main gate of Bagram Air Base just north of Kabul. Residents said they had recovered six bodies from a mud-walled compound.

"About 15 people are still inside, but I cannot say if they are dead or injured," a US military spokesman said.

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Afghan soldiers had cordoned off the area, saying there was a danger of secondary blasts, and a US soldier said there appeared to be ammunition stored in the building.

The cause of the blast was not immediately clear. Smoke was seen rising from the compound about 10 minutes after the blast and small explosions could be heard.

Bagram is the main base for a 12,500-strong force of US-led soldiers in Afghanistan.