[BBC] A massive car bomb explosion in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar has killed at least 40 people. More than 60 people were also hurt as buildings collapsed in the attack in the centre of the city, doctors said. Earlier a bomb killed four US soldiers, making 2009 the deadliest year for foreign troops since the US-led invasion overthrew the Taliban. No-one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack in Kandahar, which is a stronghold of the Taliban. There have been a number of attacks in the city this year.The explosion struck close to the offices of the Kandahar provincial council, trapping people under rubble. Windows across the city were shattered by the force of the blast. The area has several hotels and offices of non-governmental organisations. A wedding hall was one of the buildings damaged, along with the headquarters of a Japanese construction company.
Afghans are currently observing the Muslim month of Ramadan and the explosion took place soon after dusk as they broke their fast. Agha Lalai, a member of the Kandahar provincial council, told AFP news agency: "It felt like an earthquake. The power went off and there was a huge explosion. Police have cordoned off the area and are busy with the wounded."
Deputy provincial police chief Mohammad Sher Shah told the Associated Press news agency: "Once again they've killed children, women, innocent Afghans. They are not human. They are animals. You can see for yourself the destruction of this enemy."
There have been a series of insurgent attacks across the country as Afghanistan held its presidential election. The Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) said there were more than 400 attacks on election day alone, last Thursday.