A powerful bomb tore apart a minibus carrying Afghan labourers to a US military base today, killing up to 10 amid growing violence before NATO takes over from US troops in the country's volatile south.
Three shops were destroyed and twisted metal and a large pool of blood covered the street at the scene of the attack which occurred during rush hour in the southern city of Kandahar , the heartland of Taliban insurgents.
"We have seen more than 10 dead people with legs and hands blown off being brought out of the bus," said Raaz Mohammad, a policeman at the scene.
"I am very scared. It is one of the biggest blasts I have ever seen," Hashmatullah, an 18-year-old witness said.
Kandahar police chief Azizullah Wardak said the blast was caused by explosives apparently hidden in the bus.
He said he knew of at least seven dead.
The bomb went off soon after the bus made a regular stop to buy bread at a bakery, before heading to Kandahar airport where US and international forces have a base, said baker Esmatullah.
Three shops were destroyed. Nervous shopkeepers cleared rubble from the street where a pool of blood and pieces of flesh lay.
Police cordoned off the street and barred reporters from the hospital where the injured were taken.
Some witnesses accused the government of President Hamid Karzai of failing to provide enough security for ordinary people.
"The government cannot bring peace and stability. If the government cannot provide security, then we have to leave this area," said Mohammad Dawood, a visibly angry resident.