Suicide attack in Kabul tutoring center kills 19

STORY: Many of those living in the western area where the blast occurred are Hazara, a mostly Shi'ite Muslim ethnic minority targeted in past attacks launched by the ultra-radical Islamic State and others.

Kabul police spokesperson Khalid Zadran said the official toll was 19 people dead and 27 wounded.

He said the attack took place at a private tutoring centre where an exam was taking place. Schools are usually closed in Afghanistan on Fridays.

The official death toll is likely to rise. A hospital source told Reuters 23 people had been killed, while a Taliban source said 33 had been killed and that female students were among the casualties.