A bomb went off during a wedding around 10:30 p.m. local time in Kubal, Afghanistan. ISIS is taking responsibility for the attack, which killed 63 and injured more than 180, the BBC reported. About 20 people were taken to a hospital run by EMERGENCY, an Italian NGO, CNN reported.
According to wedding guest Ahmad Omid, whose second cousin was getting married, roughly 1,200 people were invited to the wedding. The area is known for housing the majority of the country's small Shiite Hazara community, The Independent reported.
The Islamic State provided a statement about what took place, saying one of its followers "blew himself up at a 'large gathering' while others 'detonated a parked explosives-laden vehicle' when emergency services arrived," BBC reported.
The groom, Mirwais, recounted his experience to local news outlets.
"My family, my bride are in shock, they cannot even speak. My bride keeps fainting. I lost my brother, I lost my friends, I lost my relatives. I will never see happiness in my life again," he said. "I can't go to the funerals, I feel very weak ... I know that this won't be the last suffering for Afghans, the suffering will continue."
The bomb was detonated near the stage where music was being played. According to witness Gul Mohammad “all the youths, children and all the people who were there were killed."
The event hall’s owner, Hussain Ali, said his staff continues to find body parts as they clean up the aftermath from the attack.
“We have informed the police to come and collect them,” Ali told the Associated Press.
President Ashraf Ghani took to Twitter to condemn the attack and offer prayers for those who have been impacted.
I strongly condemn the inhumane attack on the wedding hall in Kabul last night. My top priority for now is to reach out to the families of victims of this barbaric attack. On behalf of the nation I send my heartfelt condolences to the families of those who were martyred.
— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) August 18, 2019
For those who are wounded, I pray for your speedy recovery. I have ordered the relevant authorities to urgently assist in managing the wounded. In response to this targeted attack I have called an extraordinary security meeting to review and prevent such security lapses.
— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) August 18, 2019
Ghani had initially blamed the Taliban for the attack. The group denied responsibility, at which point ISIS stepped forward and claimed the attack.
Taliban cannot absolve themselves of blame, for they provide platform for terrorists. Today is the day of mourning, hence #StateBuilder have cancelled today's gathering at the Loya Jirga tent.
— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) August 18, 2019