here on bbc news... twin bomb attacks at kabul airport with unconfirmed reports of at least 13 deaths — the explosions took place where the us have been stationed — and at a nearby hotel. at least one of the attacks was a suicide bombing — it's thought the dead includes children. the us government says at least four military personnel are among the dead — eyewitnesses describe a chaotic scene. people started running away and we got out. i saw at least 400 or 500 people there. the explosions were really powerful. people were hauled in the water. others were on the ground outside. we carried the wounded here on stretchers and my clothes are completely bloodied. it comes as thousands had still been gathering outside the airport — despite clear warnings of an imminent attack —

and there are warnings of more possible attacks — the uk says it will continue evacuation plans. we are able to continue with the programme in the way that we have been running it, according to the timetable that we have got and that is what we are going to do. hello. as we continue our coverage here on bbc news of a double bomb attack in kabul. it took place close to an airport where crowds have been gathering with hope of boarding and evacuation site. they tell assay between 13 and 20 people have been

killed. the us confirmed that at least four�* of its troops have been killed in an attack at kabul airport. several are being treated for injuries. 0ne happened at abbey gate on the other was close to baron hotel, it had been used by some western nations as a staging point for evacuation since the airlift began. barbara plett usher is in washington. i'm expecting to hearfrom i'm expecting to hear from the white house shortly? the i'm expecting to hear from the white house shortly?— house shortly? the briefing room does seem _ house shortly? the briefing room does seem to _ house shortly? the briefing room does seem to be _ house shortly? the briefing room does seem to be prepared - house shortly? the briefing room does seem to be prepared to - house shortly? the briefing room| does seem to be prepared to have somebody make a statement, but it has been very confusing here this morning because a number of briefings have been cancelled in the wake of what has happened as the administration has tried to get across what exactly is going on. it looks as though there is preparation for a statement but we don't actually know when that will happen and who it is that will speak. there

is some speculation that president biden may address the nation at some point today, no confirmation from the white house about that, but up until now, everything in washington has been suspended as they try to figure out what is going on and how to respond and what the next step should be. �* , , ., ., should be. bring us up to date with what the us _ should be. bring us up to date with what the us via _ should be. bring us up to date with what the us via the _ should be. bring us up to date with what the us via the pentagon - should be. bring us up to date with what the us via the pentagon has l what the us via the pentagon has said so far. what the us via the pentagon has said so far-— what the us via the pentagon has said so far. ., ., ., , said so far. the pentagon has said that a number— said so far. the pentagon has said that a number of— said so far. the pentagon has said that a number of us _ said so far. the pentagon has said that a number of us military - that a number of us military personnel were killed and a number were wounded. they didn't say how many of either, although the us media have been reporting that four were killed and three at least were injured. that is the most concrete information the pentagon has given up information the pentagon has given up so far. it talked about the explosions where they took place, that it was a complex attack, the kinds of things you have been hearing from other security analysts but they confirmed all of those things. the crucial thing for the administration is the speaker of the

casualties because this is exactly what they have been trying to avoid. they have been trying to get that evacuation completed without taking any american casualties. that was one of the factors into why president biden want to stick with the august 31 deadline, because of this concern and growing intelligence of an attack, which was coming from the islamic state group in afghanistan and it is believed by many here in washington that is the group that carried it out, although they have not officially confirmed that. �* _ ., that. am i right in saying that these us casualties _ that. am i right in saying that these us casualties are - that. am i right in saying that these us casualties are the i that. am i right in saying that i these us casualties are the first for some time in afghanistan? yes. for some time in afghanistan? yes, that is true- — for some time in afghanistan? yes, that is true. the _ for some time in afghanistan? yes, that is true. the number _ for some time in afghanistan? yes, that is true. the number of - for some time in afghanistan? yes that is true. the number of troops had been drawn out quite cynically by president trump already and then he also made that peace deal with the taliban —— significantly. it involved a promise not to attack us troops. american troops have not been targeted for quite some time,

that didn't stop the taliban going after afghan troops and a lot of afghan civilians being killed in the process, but this would be the first casualties for some time. that will be wearing for the administration because amongst other things, they will be making an assumption about the political price to pay. there was very strong support to four american people to get out of afghanistan, they were tired of seeing troops killed in that war. these troops were sent packing after that the trial because of the military pulled out, most of it anyway, i should say, and then because of the chaotic evacuation needs, given the taliban unexpected takeover of kabul. lots of troops were sent back in, so it is the kind of thing the demonstration had been hoping to avoid. you of thing the demonstration had been hoping to avoid-— hoping to avoid. you are going to be sta in: hoping to avoid. you are going to be staying with — hoping to avoid. you are going to be staying with us. _ hoping to avoid. you are going to be staying with us, but _ hoping to avoid. you are going to be staying with us, but for _ hoping to avoid. you are going to be staying with us, but for the - hoping to avoid. you are going to be staying with us, but for the momentj staying with us, but for the moment thank you very much indeed. needless to say, we are keeping a very close eye on that briefing room at the

white house as soon as anyone steps out, we will show it to you. this is what we know. there have been two explosions on the perimeter of the airport. you can see from these pictures smoke rising above the airport, this is around 70 local time. last night there had been a us and uk warning an attack was imminent —— 7pm. these pictures were posted on social media of the scene moments after. some of the injured are being carried away in wheelbarrows. others are wearing bloodied bandages. and this is the scene outside kabul�*s main hospital. dozens are being treated. in the past hour the taliban has said between 13 and 20 people have died. journalist bilal sarwary — who escaped afghanistan over the weekend — posted these pictures on twitter of the scene before the attack. this is said to be a sewage canal

where afghans were waiting for their papers to be vetted — many are women and children. bilal explains what happened next. a suicide attacker, believed to have been wearing a vest, detonated his explosives right in the middle of that sewage canal. the friend i spoke to told me there was a pool of blood, a lot of people were killed and wounded, there was scenes of chaos and apparently at least one armed attacker was shooting towards coalition forces and american forces. this is what the taliban would have been doing, even until a few weeks ago. this was their preferred tactic, but now the islamic state is seen as a potent threat, and more importantly these are people who are fleeing, fearing for their lives. this airport has now become a deadly front line, whether you talk about this massive

bomb or gun fire and stampede. secunder kermani was at the airport on wednesday. it seems that we are talking about a significant number of people have lost their lives in this incident. videos showing piles of dead bodies in and around the sewage canals were hundreds of people had gathered, hoping to get inside the effort. —— airport. western intelligence agencies had been warning about the possibility of this attack and it seems their intelligence tragically was remarkably accurate. no claim of responsibility yet but all indications that this was carried out by eis. earlier the uk foreign office issued new guidance telling anyone near the airport to move away to a safe location and

await further advice. the ministerfor armed forces had this warning. it is credible, it is imminent, it is lethal. we wouldn't be saying this if we weren't genuinely concerned about offering islamic state a target that is just unimaginable. despite a number of warnings, crowd still gathered at the gates of the airport, many people desperate to get on any evacuation flight before us troops leave on the 31st of august which is five days away. secunder kermani was at the airport on wednesday. and describes why it could be seen as an easy target. there are a number of different gates and multiple different forces in charge of different parts of the areas around the airport, so you have the taliban, you have american and british forces as well as other nato nations at some of the gates right by the entrances, really, and you have units of afghan army forces that

are yet to surrender, that are working alongside american forces. you have multiple different forces in charge of different parts, sometimes quite close to each other. we have seen lots of reports of the taliban checkpoints leading up to the airport. i have to say, in all the trips i've done to the airport, i had never seen an active taliban checkpoint as one would describe it, where people are being searched systematically and being asked who they are and where they are going and what their documentation is. i have heard colleagues talking about it, but all the approaches to the airport i have taken, there has not been that. we have seen taliban forces at times, but not checking and stopping people, certainly not on a regular basis. this was a soft target. if someone wanted to carry out an awful suicide bombing, one can hardly fathom the rationale orjustification for it, given that there are so many ordinary, desperate afghans there. but if somebody wanted to do it, it would have been

an easy target to strike. and we've had this response from the taliban — whose spokesperson has tweeted. we've translated it for you. "the islamic emirate strongly condemns the bombing of civilians at kabul airport, which took place in an area where security is in the hands of us forces." a british journalist was a britishjournalist was making a british journalist was making a documentary before the taliban to cover. 16 when people were still gathering at the airport despite the risks. ., ., ., , ., ., gathering at the airport despite the risks. ., . ., , . . ~' ., risks. you have to be aware we know there was an — risks. you have to be aware we know there was an imminent _ risks. you have to be aware we know there was an imminent threat - risks. you have to be aware we know there was an imminent threat to - risks. you have to be aware we know there was an imminent threat to the | there was an imminent threat to the airport for people inside the airport for people inside the airport had no information. they were not aware of what was taking place outside. the foreign press contingent here wasn't from last night and this morning so we were away. i was telling my creed that i was working and please don't go near

the airport. i told them to phone as many people as any that were stranded inside to somehow reach a safety passage if possible. you have to understand, we were informed but most people, i think it is over 9000 people were stranded inside that airport and most were unaware. there is no confirmation _ airport and most were unaware. there is no confirmation of— airport and most were unaware. there is no confirmation of who _ airport and most were unaware. there is no confirmation of who is _ airport and most were unaware. there is no confirmation of who is behind this attack. the earlier threat came from the taliban's enemy isis—k which is an affiliate of the islamic state group. let's talk about that group in other developments with frank gardner. we are getting some reports of the us media that more than four us personnel may have died. ., , than four us personnel may have died. . , ,., , than four us personnel may have died. . , , . ., died. the latest reports which are uncorroborated, _ died. the latest reports which are uncorroborated, they _ died. the latest reports which are uncorroborated, they haven't - died. the latest reports which are | uncorroborated, they haven't been confirmed by the pentagon, but us media are reporting that ten us servicemen were killed in this blast. the other report said four. evenif blast. the other report said four. even if it is four, that is for more

than were killed in the last 18 months. the only here is that the time the peace deal was signed on the break last year of the withdrawal, not one single us servicemen or woman was killed in combat in afghanistan. this has turned into a deadly withdrawal, sadly. who benefits from this? not the taliban, actually. they are the ones in charge now, that is the new reality which is why the suspicion is falling on isis—k, the so—called islamic state, because they have been enemies of the taliban for some time. they have had links in the past, on and off, they have completed over the drug trade, but essentially they are rivals to both the taliban and al-qaeda. they have carried out 2a attacks. some of them deadly in kabul in the last year. that is where the intelligence report that was aimed at. given that

the security — report that was aimed at. given that the security threat _ report that was aimed at. given that the security threat was _ report that was aimed at. given that the security threat was known - report that was aimed at. given that the security threat was known and l the security threat was known and given that isis and others are known to carry out attacks as you described, some viewers may be surprised that an attack or attackers were able to get so close to us personnel. taste attackers were able to get so close to us personnel.— attackers were able to get so close to us personnel. we have seen the chaotic scenes _ to us personnel. we have seen the chaotic scenes at _ to us personnel. we have seen the chaotic scenes at the _ to us personnel. we have seen the chaotic scenes at the airport. - to us personnel. we have seen the chaotic scenes at the airport. with | chaotic scenes at the airport. with thousands of people desperate to get out, all cramming that very difficult to police that. the taliban or on charge of one side, the us and otherforces on taliban or on charge of one side, the us and other forces on the other. but a completely chaotic situation. we are in the last few days and hours of this entire airlift, which is why there were such desperate urgency to get everybody out before something like this happened. the worst case scenario will be the shooting down of a plane, that is something else they are very nervous about. it is one of the reasons why the august 31 deadline is pretty much a red line. can i ask you about the fact that so much attention is going on to isis—k at the moment? should we be cautious

because some people are saying, they are not the only group who operate in afghanistan. they are not the only group you might want to attack americans and afghans looking to leave. , ., ., , ., americans and afghans looking to leave. , ., ., . leave. they are not, you are right in the sense _ leave. they are not, you are right in the sense that _ leave. they are not, you are right in the sense that there _ leave. they are not, you are right in the sense that there are - leave. they are not, you are right in the sense that there are many| in the sense that there are many groups ofjihadist militants from all around the region who have been part of the taliban insurgency for the last 20 years, but look at the new reality. some of the most deadly insurgents carrying lots of attacks all over afghanistan are now aligned with the taliban and helliwell and a senior member of that group is in charge of security. the uncle and nephew team are both in senior members of the taliban and in charge of security. this is embarrassing for the taliban. they want an image to protect, that they are in charge,

they are going to impose their own role and order and this is not good optics for them.— role and order and this is not good optics for them. thank you very much indeed for the — optics for them. thank you very much indeed for the moment. _ just to reiterate, there are reports in the us media, not confirmed by the pentagon or us here at the bbc, that the amount of us personnel who died may be higher than four. as and when we give further details, we will bring it to you. let speak to the former british ambassador to afghanistan. hejoins us the former british ambassador to afghanistan. he joins us from south—west london. thank you very much for being with us. what is your reaction to the events we are seeing and building? it is reaction to the events we are seeing and building?— and building? it is a tragedy in that my heart _ and building? it is a tragedy in that my heart goes _ and building? it is a tragedy in that my heart goes out - and building? it is a tragedy in that my heart goes out to - and building? it is a tragedy in that my heart goes out to the | that my heart goes out to the families of and the us soldiers who may have died, but this was an easy target for isis—k, if it turns out to beat them. it is hard to think who else would have perpetrated such an appalling attack. it is a

consequence of a flawed policy that began in february 2020, i am afraid. but given that you are unimpressed by the trump deal to which you refer, the deal between the trump administration and the taliban back in early 2020, given that boris johnson and his government was government was facing, was anything really he or anyone else could have donein really he or anyone else could have done in the immediate situation to reduce the risk that paid out today? not once they had abandoned the effort. i think the british government is entirely dependent on what to us policy is, so i use —— i lay blame at the us and station. i think the decision to close the air base was a monumental mistake. we have got mistakes compounding upon mistakes. i understand it only had enough troops to maintain one airport and they decided for kabul.

it would have made more force to reinforce —— it would have made more sense to be in force by gram effort. you would had a much more orderly withdrawal and it would have been easier to manage. kabul is within walking distance, it is in the centre of kabul, within walking distance of 4 million people. and we see the vast numbers congregating outside the airport, desperate to get out. this is a very easy target for a ruthless terrorist organisation.- for a ruthless terrorist oruanisation. , , , ., organisation. given everything you have said. what _ organisation. given everything you have said. what you _ organisation. given everything you have said. what you think- organisation. given everything you have said. what you think the - have said. what you think the approach should be now of both the biden administration and boris johnson's government. i biden administration and boris johnson's government.- biden administration and boris johnson's government. i don't think the have johnson's government. i don't think they have got _ johnson's government. i don't think they have got any — johnson's government. i don't think they have got any choice _ johnson's government. i don't think they have got any choice but - johnson's government. i don't think they have got any choice but to - johnson's government. i don't think they have got any choice but to get| they have got any choice but to get out as quickly as they can. i can't see that being changed. they will try to get out as many of the people that are committed to getting out, but as we have heard, a deadline coming up early next week, it will only be another day or two before

they have to stop afghans leaving and start withdrawing their own groups. i don't think they have got many choices at this stage. former british ambassador _ many choices at this stage. former british ambassador to _ many choices at this stage. former british ambassador to afghanistan, thank you for sticking to a seat on bbc news. we have an important development on this story. this comes from one of my bbc colleagues who works in the region saying the bbc has spoken to a senior health official who has told us that at least 60 people were killed and hundred and a0 others wounded in these explosions. previously we only had reporting of 13 people having died. the bbc has spoken to a senior health official in kabul is telling the bbc at least 60 people have been killed and 1a0 others have been wounded. here with me in the studio... sana safi from the bbc�*s

afghan servicejoins me now. that is a significantjump in the death toll. it that is a significant “ump in the death toll. , that is a significant “ump in the death out that is a significant “ump in the death toll. , ., , , death toll. it is getting worse by the hour, death toll. it is getting worse by the hour. by _ death toll. it is getting worse by the hour, by the _ death toll. it is getting worse by the hour, by the seconds. - death toll. it is getting worse by the hour, by the seconds. it - death toll. it is getting worse by the hour, by the seconds. itjust shows the nonstop pain of afghans in afghanistan. from what i am hearing, people are in utter shock. they don't understand it because when the warnings were given to the public and foreign nationals, afghans were doing a cost benefit analysis. they were saying, are we staying in our homes and wait for the taliban to come look at our documents and take us to somewhere and she does in the head and ourfamily is finding a bodyis head and ourfamily is finding a body is in the ditch somewhere or are we to the airport and going to the airport, and hoping that we will make it out safely? as today's incident shows, they are not safe anywhere. incident shows, they are not safe an here. , ., incident shows, they are not safe anywhere-— incident shows, they are not safe an here. , ., ., . ., ., anywhere. everyone watching and and around the world _ anywhere. everyone watching and and around the world who _ anywhere. everyone watching and and around the world who don't _ anywhere. everyone watching and and around the world who don't know- around the world who don't know kabul, a city you know very well,

help us understand the part of the city next to the airport where these two attacks happened. the city next to the airport where these two attacks happened.— city next to the airport where these two attacks happened. the airport is close to the — two attacks happened. the airport is close to the presidential— two attacks happened. the airport is close to the presidential palace, - two attacks happened. the airport is close to the presidential palace, it i close to the presidential palace, it close to the presidential palace, it close to the green zone, an area that used to be the base for foreign embassies, important foreign delegations. it is also where the ministries are based, or most of the important ministries are based. the airport is very close to that and also it has only three gates, yes, by international standards it is a small airport but it has only three gates and they are close to each other. this attack happened, as we have been reporting, at the abbey gate which is very close to the eastern gate and that is very close to the main entrance of the airport. it is a very busy area. it is one of those places where ordinary labourers, afghans who are just trying to make a living, go to help

people with their luggage, to help people with their luggage, to help people with their luggage, to help people with elderly members, if they have them, to carry them, so they can make a living. it is always very busy and especially at this time, from what i have been hearing. my own family was there. hundreds of people were there. some of them were there for ten days. sleeping in different parts of the airport. spending the nights under the sky. just to make it out of the city alive. sadly, some of them have died. ., ~' alive. sadly, some of them have died. . ~ ,, alive. sadly, some of them have died. ., ~ ,, y alive. sadly, some of them have died. . ~ ,, , . alive. sadly, some of them have died. ., ~' y . ., died. thank you very much for s-ueakin died. thank you very much for speaking to — died. thank you very much for speaking to us. _ just to reiterate what i was saying. this is coming from the bbc�*s delhi bureau chief, saying the bbc has spoken to a senior health official was told us that at least 60 people were killed and 1a0 others wounded in kabul airport. fox news in the us

is reporting that more than four us personnel have been killed, though the bbc has not been able to confirm that and the pentagon is yet to comment on that reporting. let's look at some of the international reaction. germany has called it a heinous attack and says a hospital plane is on standby to help treat injured people at kabul airport. here's the chancellor, angela merkel. translation: there is a high level of pressure to be exerted _ in the mission to airlift people out of kabul. we know that the window of opportunity is closing, tens of thousands of people have been airlifted to security. today i would like to once again repeat that those who have not been able to leave kabul with the help of the airlift will not be forgotten. we will continue to work, to ensure that they can leave the country if they so wish. and uk prime minister borisjohnson has been speaking following an emergency meeting.

i want to stress that this threat of a terrorist attack is one of the constraints that we have been operating under in the big extraction that has been going on. we have been ready for it, prepared for it. i want to stress that we are going to continue with that operation and we are now coming towards the very end of it in any event. we have already extracted the overwhelming majority of those under both these schemes, the eligible persons, the uk persons, the uk nationals plus the afghans, the interpreters and others. it has been a totally phenomenal effort by the uk. there has been nothing like it for decades and decades. but clearly what this attack shows is the importance of continuing that work in as fast and efficient

in a manner as possible in the hours that remain to us, and that is what we are going to do. let's bring in our political correspondent. it sounds like that listening to the prime minister, despite the terrible events, the uk plasma course is shifting. boris johnson said — plasma course is shifting. boris johnson said this _ plasma course is shifting. boris johnson said this is _ plasma course is shifting. boris johnson said this is not - plasma course is shifting. boris johnson said this is not going . plasma course is shifting. err" 3 johnson said this is not going to change the effort to get people out, but he did say that this was in its final stages. but he did say that this was in its finalstages. he but he did say that this was in its final stages. he said they would work flat out to try to keep ringing people out. we know today the uk had 11 flights planned and the understanding seems to be those will continue, but mrjohnson also said the effort was coming towards its very end. i think, it is very difficult for the british government, because mrjohnson is saying he thought honest everyone had been brought out, but we know

that you look at those pictures outside, those crowds who were there, targeted in this attack, desperate people, thousands and thousands of them are still there and trying to get in. there are multiple reports of interpreters who work with british forces, desperate to get in, unable to get into the airport. we know yesterday, members of parliament, around 200 people had everything with the depend secretary here and they were damaging them with cases brought to them of desperate people —— there are many who have not been brought out despite what the british government says, and the prime minister therefore saying they are looking towards the next phase, which is when this winds down, as the taliban align people out of the country so that they can then try to be brought to safety in the uk and elsewhere from neighbouring states.

that is still going to be difficult operation. that is still going to be difficult o eration. ., that is still going to be difficult oeration. ., , that is still going to be difficult oeration. . , ., operation. that is for the uk government _ operation. that is for the uk government in _ operation. that is for the uk government in the _ operation. that is for the uk government in the days - operation. that is for the uk government in the days and | operation. that is for the uk - government in the days and weeks ahead, if i can ask you about today, my right in saying that no uk military personnel have been caught up military personnel have been caught up in these attacks?— up in these attacks? according to the ministry _ up in these attacks? according to the ministry of — up in these attacks? according to the ministry of defence, - up in these attacks? according to the ministry of defence, no - up in these attacks? according to the ministry of defence, no uk i the ministry of defence, no uk personnel cut in base. we know that this was in an area where british and american forces have been working side by side on this side of the airport. it was very close to the airport. it was very close to the hotel that the british had been using and have been using, as a staging post to get to process people and get them out. but in this instance, it seems to be british troops not involved in this. american scott in the blast and the numbers there appear to be climbing ever higher. the

numbers there appear to be climbing ever hiaher. , ., ., ., ever higher. the shift from london to washington. _ ever higher. the shift from london to washington. i _ ever higher. the shift from london to washington. i want _ ever higher. the shift from london to washington. i want to _ ever higher. the shift from london to washington. i want to show- ever higher. the shift from london to washington. i want to show the | to washington. i want to show the feet coming in from the white house. we have had this shot for quite a few minutes. we are not sure when this briefing is going to begin. we believe there is a briefing at some point, evidently this is one of the most challenging days ofjoe biden's presidency, if not the most challenging. there is a lot of interest from the white house. most of the briefings from the biden and the station having coming from the pentagon, not the white house, but we think there will be a briefing from the white house at some point. when that happens, we were showing it to you. it is unclear what the status of foreign air left out of kabul is. we know a number of countries had planned to enter evacuations by thursday. 0ver planned to enter evacuations by thursday. over 80,000 people have been elected out of afghanistan since the taliban took over to sunday's back. 11 days ago. let's go and speak to the journalist andrew northey is a former bbc kabul

correspondent lisa cover the country. what are you hearing from colleagues and friends? this evenin: , colleagues and friends? this evening, among _ colleagues and friends? to 3 evening, among many volunteers that i have been helping to organise evacuations, at the same time as reporting on what has been happening, is an air of utter devastation of what has happened because for more than a week now, i and many others have been helping people to get through those terrible crowds that you have seen and exactly that point where this suicide attack happened earlier today. and there is a feeling of among the many afghans who have gone out that very way, a feeling that could have been me. i have since the

attack happened had dozens of messages from people realising that it happens. i am sure the pictures have been shown where there is a canal outside the skate, it is likely drainage canal and because the crowds have been so heavy, people have been standing in the water with there, waiting, hoping we're going to get into the gate and troops from different nations, the french have been doing a lot of this, i believe the british have as well. i've been coming out and finding particular groups of people who have been approved to be evacuated, and taking them out of the water. afghans who have been evacuated to countries all over the world are looking at these images on social media and realising exactly where this is happening and it is absolutely terrible. this book ends this horrific end to the american

intervention in afghanistan. a week ago you had the terrible scenes of afghans falling off planes as they took off which brought back memories of what happened in 9/11 which started this whole thing. here now, we have this another horrific and to this whole terrible withdrawal of the us led forces from afghanistan. temperatures we know this area has been incredibly busy in the last week or so. there were warnings that overnight there was a potential threat, there were warnings not to come. given your communication within kabul, helps to understand whether the area was just as busy as ever. i would say it was probably _ just as busy as ever. i would say it was probably busier _ just as busy as ever. i would say it was probably busier and _ just as busy as ever. i would say it was probably busier and i - just as busy as ever. i would say it was probably busier and i suspect| was probably busier and i suspect although i don't know at the that may well be the reason the attack

has happened now because clearly part of what this is about, those who carry out these kinds of attacks, is they are looking for attention. they know the media is focused on it, they also know the evacuation window, all the reports, anyway, are saying the evacuation window is coming to an end and again i suspect... again, window is coming to an end and again isuspect... again, i window is coming to an end and again i suspect... again, i don't know this, but i suspect many people have been watching the crowd, watching what is happening, watching the troops who come out to take people inside the airport through that crush of people and they realise that this is a place to attack and of course we are hearing most of the casualties, i think, of course we are hearing most of the casualties, ithink, last of course we are hearing most of the casualties, i think, last i of course we are hearing most of the casualties, ithink, last i heard of course we are hearing most of the casualties, i think, last i heard at least 60 people have been killed, but among them at least four, i think possibly ten americans have been killed as well. what i do know is the french teams who have been doing a lot of this extraction work, as i understand it, they are all safe, but clearly someone knew that this was the place to go and with so many people. many of them children,

of course. they were certain to cause mass casualties as a result of this. �* ., ~ , ., , cause mass casualties as a result of this. �* . ~' ,, , . this. andrew, thank you very much indeed for speaking _ this. andrew, thank you very much indeed for speaking to _ this. andrew, thank you very much indeed for speaking to us. - this. andrew, thank you very much indeed for speaking to us. and - this. andrew, thank you very much indeed for speaking to us. and you north for the bbc, kabul correspondent live with us from georgia. just to reiterate what he was saying, there are two reports that we need to look at and the extent of this attack. first of all, bbc�*s village bureau chief, who has failed the exam copied to the bbc newsroom, which reads, the bbc has spoken to a senior health official in kabul, who told us at least 60 people were killed, 1a0 injured, in his explosions at kabul. bear in mind the figure had been estimated at 13 deaths until the last few minutes, but that is a report from a bbc correspondent, saying that this latest report puts it at 60. also at

least ten military personnel have been killed, the pentagon has confirmed that for them has have lost their lives, but are bbc correspondent reporting that ten have lost their lives. the next is from the bbc�*s chief international correspondent, lyse doucet, who is in kabul. the fiat attack happened. into the hospital, that might be fiat attack happened. into the hospital, go the victims. this man was there. translation: i hospital, go the victims. this man was there. translation:- hospital, go the victims. this man was there. translation: i saw at least 400 people _ was there. translation: i saw at least 400 people there. _ was there. translation: i saw at least 400 people there. the - was there. translation: i saw at - least 400 people there. the exposure least a00 people there. the exposure was powerful, people held into the water, others outside. we currently wounded on stretchers here. my clothes are completely blooded. the wounded shoved into wheelbarrows. the afghans who were hoping to be on an aeroplane today, flying out to a safer place. this country's endless

war shattered that dream. the islamic state group is believed to done it. earlier today in this gathering storm and the growing clamour to board a flight. this is the centre of kabul, the people desperate to find ways to get to that airport. desperate to find ways to get to that airport-— that airport. security guard with the british people. _ that airport. security guard with the british people. yes. - that airport. security guard with the british people. yes. how. that airport. security guard with i the british people. yes. how many ears? the british people. yes. how many years? may — the british people. yes. how many years? may be _ the british people. yes. how many years? may be one _ the british people. yes. how many years? may be one year, _ the british people. yes. how many years? may be one year, i - the british people. yes. how many years? may be one year, i was. - the british people. yes. how many years? may be one year, i was. 12 | years? may be one year, i was. 12 ears years? may be one year, i was. 12 years ago- — years? may be one year, i was. 12 years ago- this — years? may be one year, i was. 12 years ago. this man _ years? may be one year, i was. 12 years ago. this man doesn't - years? may be one year, i was. 12 years ago. this man doesn't have| years? may be one year, i was. 12| years ago. this man doesn't have a visa or a passport, _ years ago. this man doesn't have a visa or a passport, so _ years ago. this man doesn't have a visa or a passport, so he _ years ago. this man doesn't have a visa or a passport, so he created i visa or a passport, so he created his own documents. so what is this? yes. ~ ., ~' his own documents. so what is this? yes. ~ ., ~ ., , ., , his own documents. so what is this? yes. .,~ ., , . ., yes. we worked for years. we are in dancer yes. we worked for years. we are in danger now- — yes. we worked for years. we are in danger now. what _ yes. we worked for years. we are in danger now. what will _ yes. we worked for years. we are in danger now. what will be _ yes. we worked for years. we are in danger now. what will be our - yes. we worked for years. we are in | danger now. what will be our future? yes. �* ., �* , ., yes. but now the british are saying it is too dangerous _ yes. but now the british are saying it is too dangerous to _ yes. but now the british are saying it is too dangerous to go _ yes. but now the british are saying it is too dangerous to go to - yes. but now the british are saying it is too dangerous to go to the - it is too dangerous to go to the airport. it is too dangerous to go to the airort. , .. ., ., ., airport. yes, i cannot go into the airort. airport. yes, i cannot go into the airport- i — airport. yes, i cannot go into the airport. i cannot _ airport. yes, i cannot go into the airport. i cannot go. _ airport. yes, i cannot go into the airport. i cannot go. even - airport. icannot go. even three-year-old _ airport. icannot go. even three-year-old saleem i airport. icannot go. even three-year-old saleem is airport. i cannot go. even - three-year-old saleem is worried, three—year—old saleem is worried, just listening to his mother. she

tells us they got to the airport and were sent from gate to gate. she says the taliban asked, why do you want to leave? they threatened to shoot her. now it has been two days on the street for her exhausted children. the taliban are now stopping afghans from even travelling to the airport. but still they try. they are bringing certificates. they are bringing... flight details. they are bringing whatever letter they have ever had from any government anywhere in the world. whatever the risks there are going to the airport, whatever the risks there are at the airport today, for all of them, just look at this. forthem, the today, for all of them, just look at this. for them, the greatest danger is staying here, in afghanistan. and tonight, that danger all too clear. there had been warnings for a week of an attack like this. last against

western troops, set to leave within days. another blow to many afghans' last hope of leaving this chaos behind. lyse doucet, bbc news, kabul. while you are watching that, i could see that the us secretary general, antonio guterres, convening a meeting on monday, with envoys of britain, france, the us, and russia, the permanent veto wielding members of the security council and that has just been shared byjohn kirby of the biden administration. let's get more reaction to these events in kabul, mark emmett being the former us secretary of defence for the middle east policy and before that he was a brigadier general in the us army. he has given the bbc�*s response. army. he has given the bbc's response-— army. he has given the bbc's response. this was absolutely anticipated — response. this was absolutely anticipated and _ response. this was absolutely anticipated and unfortunately| response. this was absolutely i anticipated and unfortunately the taliban need to take responsibility for this. taliban need to take responsibility forthis. i taliban need to take responsibility for this. i would taliban need to take responsibility for this. iwould make taliban need to take responsibility for this. i would make one clarification on this notion of a complex attack. it is ied and gunfire with the most terrific part

of a complex attack is that you have an ied go off with horrendous casualties and then you get a lot of people rushing to site —— to the sight of that ied explosion to try to help the people on the ground, the living, the wounded. then a second attack happens once that huge cluster has gone in help, so that in fact you get a double effect of these types of ied. this means many —— the first names many, the second one goes against those people who are going into help and again kills and means even more. i don't know what is happening inside the airport. i would expect they have gone to a full... what they call threat con, threat condition. anticipate more attacks, so the more focus right now and the defence of the air base than they are on the evacuation. i think their major fear right now would be this is going to

be followed by more attacks by isis—k, going against the aircraft, so more than likely the defensive systems like the counter rocket and mortar systems are full up. what does this mean for the evacuation? i think it has come to a dead halt at this point, as people are running to the duck and cover positions and getting ready for more attacks. let's just hear from a former state department official, now president of the truman national security project, which is coordinating with other groups to try to coordinate what we call afghan allies —— but to evacuate them. what we call afghan allies -- but to evacuate them.— what we call afghan allies -- but to evacuate them. what is unfolding in kabul ri . ht evacuate them. what is unfolding in kabul right now _ evacuate them. what is unfolding in kabul right now is what _ kabul right now is what we had long feared would be the case and indeed what the us embassy had warned was in fact imminent, so we know that there are casualties on the ground that us servicemembers have

been reporting amongst those taliban as well and i think it is time for the international community to send a swift message to the taliban. if they cannot provide secure access to they cannot provide secure access to the airport and surroundings then the airport and surroundings then the us troops should be able to do that. that is part of the agreement up that. that is part of the agreement up until august of 31st. the taliban made a commitment. the us has honoured their promise and all this. the taliban has not. under reported have been the massive amounts of checkpoints, the search is the taliban have conducted of the homes of us interpreters to this point is, making passage to the airport enormously challenging during this environment. that needs to change, the evacuation date the president has said, the 31st of august, the us has said, the 31st of august, the us has honoured that and the calibre needs to keep up its end of the bargain. the international community would do well to press for that. the taliban, if they can't secure the area outside the airport, the us can do that for them and now is the time. president biden had committed

to the evacuation of the us soldiers and allies and about 250,000 allies who are eligible for a us visa and access to safe passage in the us, as access to safe passage in the us, as a result of having served and supported us service members throughout the 20 year conflict. it is now looking like two thirds of those folks will be left behind and conditions on the ground over the last ten days have been far more chaotic than the president would have suggested. i think we have seen some of that language tempered in recent days as the images on ground are tested, and they should show it is enormously chaotic environment. the numbers just don't add up, is enormously chaotic environment. the numbersjust don't add up, the mass is not there, and it is in all likelihood quite possible that us members and american citizens will be left in the country, along with thousands and thousands of us partners and allies. you thousands and thousands of us partners and allies.— thousands and thousands of us partners and allies. you can also follow the _ partners and allies. you can also follow the story _ partners and allies. you can also follow the story through - partners and allies. you can also follow the story through a - partners and allies. you can also follow the story through a live i partners and allies. you can also i follow the story through a live page on the bbc news website. has posted an account given to cbs news by one afghan interpreter who was at the scene of

one of the explosions. he says, i just saw a lot of people got hurt and a lot of people were laying on the ground. i saw a baby there and i went to her and picked her up and took to the hospital. i took it there, but she died in my hands. he estimated her age to be around five years old. he went on to say, what is going on now is heartbreaking. this whole country has fallen apart. i tried. the interpreter continues, i tried. the interpreter continues, i did my best to help her. that may also bring you this from the reuters news agency. two us officials are saying the death of us troops killed at kabul airport is now at least 12. i mentioned earlier that fox news was reporting the us military personnel death toll was ten and now two us official speaking to reuters as saying the death toll for american troops killed at kabul airport is now 12. that is a significant uplift from a number of sources reporting in the last few hours, which is that the death toll

was at four for american personnel. i should also say i have just had a note from the bbc's barbara plett usher, who is monitoring the briefings coming in from washington. we are expecting the pentagon to speak about what is happening at kabul at 8pm uk time, 3pm speak about what is happening at kabulat 8pm uk time, 3pm in washington, which isjust over 15 minutes' time, and of course we will bring to life here on bbc news. so a significant development, two us officials telling reuters the death toll for us troops is at least 12. bearin toll for us troops is at least 12. bear in mind the bbc has spoken to a senior official in kabul, who is saying that at least 60 people total have died in this attack. let speak 110w now to penn farthing, a former royal marine who was near to the kabul airport explosion when it happened. like you very much for speaking to us. tell us about what you saw and heard in the moment of the attack? i

was... inside kabulairport, i had gone inside the perimeter with my team and we were 300 metres inside, and it has taken us 36 hours to achieve that. i had all my staff members, all of the dogs and cats, 300 metres inside the perimeter. we had gone through hell to get there. we have had taliban clock their weapons and point them at our faces. 0ne weapons and point them at our faces. one of their men then had what we used to call in the marines in md, a negative discharge, where they basically accidentally pulled the trigger. it is a miracle that he is absolute rubbish aim, otherwise one of us wouldn't be here now. and... we got inside that airfield and just before the horrendous attack... i think it was two attacks, i haven't seen all the news in detail yet, i

just heard some of the casualty figures. we were told thatjoe biden had changed the policy on who was allowed into the airfield and so, my staff, even though they had been approved by the british government, the taliban wouldn't accept their paperwork because they had been told they could only allow people in with a physical passport with a visa and everything, and we were at gunpoint again, so twice today i have had someone poke his ak in my face. we were forced to leave the airfield and just as we did, that is when those two attacks, or one, i'm not sure, as i say, i haven't watched all the news, happened across abbey gate and then all hell broke loose across the airport circle, where i was, probably about a mile from where the explosion happened, a cross at the abbey gate. and we had taliban and firing into the air. 0ne net ofa taliban and firing into the air. 0ne net of a full magazine on an from

his ak-a7 net of a full magazine on an from his ak—a7 right next to the window of our bus when we had women and children in, and as we were trying to then flee from the airport we had tear gas, so we're trying to drive the vehicle while we obviously can't see anything. it... it wasjust the vehicle while we obviously can't see anything. it... it was just the most terrific thing. we have all managed to make it back to obviously our shelter here. we obviously are then hearing the news reports of the deaths occurring at abbey gate and sadly obviously we have heard that there are us soldiers involved in there are us soldiers involved in the casualties. none of this needed to happen. none of this needed to happen like it is. find to happen. none of this needed to happen like it is.— to happen. none of this needed to happen like it is. and pen farthing, ou are happen like it is. and pen farthing, you are describing _ happen like it is. and pen farthing, you are describing the _ happen like it is. and pen farthing, you are describing the 36 _ happen like it is. and pen farthing, you are describing the 36 hours i happen like it is. and pen farthing, you are describing the 36 hours it i you are describing the 36 hours it took you to get into the airport. help us understand the general circumstances around the perimeter of the airport in which this attack would have happened earlier. brute of the airport in which this attack would have happened earlier. we had to no would have happened earlier. we had to go through — would have happened earlier. we had to go through several _ would have happened earlier. we had to go through several checkpoints, i to go through several checkpoints, taliban checkpoints, to get to the

airfield. you get stopped at each one, we were surrounded by a0 taliban at the first checkpoint. i know that because i counted them and watch them as they all got off their trucks to surround us and theyjust hold us for an hour and pointed their weapons at us while they negotiated our onward passage towards the airfield. then when you finally make it down to the airfield, there are just thousands, thousands of people desperately trying to get into that airport and died... while i was stood there, clearly i stand out as a westerner and a guy came up to me and he was like, all right, mate? and i was like, all right, mate? and i was like, you are from london, aren't you? he was like, yes, i'm a bus driver. we got chatting and he got his british passport out and showed me and said he was here to see his family, he said, yeah, iam me and said he was here to see his family, he said, yeah, i am with that group over there. there were about a0 of them and i went over to chat to them and they were all showing me their british passports. they have all got british passports, and there is no way they are going

to be able to get home. there are thousands and thousands of people who are going to be left here who have every right in the world to get on a flight to come home. heiip have every right in the world to get on a flight to come home.- on a flight to come home. help me understand — on a flight to come home. help me understand why — on a flight to come home. help me understand why they _ on a flight to come home. help me understand why they are _ on a flight to come home. help me understand why they are not i on a flight to come home. help me understand why they are not able l on a flight to come home. help me | understand why they are not able to get home. so they had their passport. at what point is that passport. at what point is that passport not enough to get them through? passport not enough to get them throu . h? ., passport not enough to get them throu~h? . . ., through? there are certain checkpoints _ through? there are certain checkpoints the _ through? there are certain checkpoints the taliban i through? there are certain i checkpoints the taliban won't let you through if obviously you are of afghan heritage, but you have now got a foreign passport. and others, obviously at abbey gate there are just a volume of people trying to get into that gate, so there is just a big backlog and the powers they are doing absolutely bestjob they possibly can in a horrendous situation they have been dropped in to. it is not theirfault, it is situation they have been dropped in to. it is not their fault, it is the people in charge of this disastrous operation. then you go all the way to the top, tojoe biden and the way he has managed this. it could have been so well—planned. you have got back on air base, which is one of the biggest air bases in the world,

and they close that down two weeks before this. i don't understand the logic, ijust don't. and people are dying now because of it. by, logic, ijust don't. and people are dying now because of it. a, bit dying now because of it. a bit earlier you — dying now because of it. a bit earlier you describe _ dying now because of it. a bit earlier you describe the i dying now because of it. a bit earlier you describe the all i dying now because of it. a bit earlier you describe the all hell breaking loose in the immediate aftermath of these explosions. most people watching won't know kabul at all, northe people watching won't know kabul at all, nor the precise scene you are in. help us understand more by what you mean there. in. help us understand more by what you mean there-— you mean there. where we were is what ou you mean there. where we were is what you call _ you mean there. where we were is what you call the _ you mean there. where we were is what you call the adult _ you mean there. where we were is what you call the adult and - you mean there. where we were is what you call the adult and circle, l what you call the adult and circle, so the roundabout that gets you into kabul airport, so the abbey gate is a dead end road format, so once people are in that dead—end there is only one way to get back out and thatis only one way to get back out and that is for the taliban to shoot up in the air and beat people to scare them out. so we got caught in all those people coming back from the abbey gate as we were busily being forced out at gunpoint from the airport that we had gone into. yes, and like i said, they were tear gassing people, shooting, you know,

i watched an ak—a7 being unloaded into the air right next to the window where i have got some young children from ourfamilies. it is unbelievable. totally and utterly unbelievable. totally and utterly unbelievable and we ran literally for our lives to get the point we could stop and will get together, wash off our eyes and everything else because we had been tear gas, we could just about see and you are choking and spluttering. and as soon as we got back in the vehicles, we hear another taliban checkpoints and we spent an hour there before they released us so we could eventually travel back to where we are now. finally, pen farthing, you have helped us understand what has happened during the moments after this attack. let me also ask you about your situation and the situation of your colleagues. you have not been able to get on a plane, you have had to leave the airport. what you think is going to happen now? mr; airport. what you think is going to happen now?— airport. what you think is going to ha en now? g ,, ., ., happen now? my mission to get them out of afghanistan _ happen now? my mission to get them out of afghanistan is _ happen now? my mission to get them out of afghanistan is just _ happen now? my mission to get them

out of afghanistan isjust ended i out of afghanistan is just ended because joe out of afghanistan is just ended becausejoe biden stopped it. i can't overrule the president of the united states, he has said what we needed to get into the airfield, the taliban obviously now control the outer parts of the airfield, so there is nothing i can do. yeah, we talked to the staff when we came back here. i mean, the emotion that everybody had won all came out, when we finally got back here, and they are telling me now it is time for me to go... they don't think a thorough know is going to be welcome here. you know, on the ground, once obviously the west has left. and they are asking me if i can get as many of the dogs and cats out with me, so... yeah, i can't take them with me because i can't get them now past those taliban checkpoints because of the regulations that have come down, so... yeah. pen farthing, thank ou come down, so... yeah. pen farthing, thank you very — come down, so... yeah. pen farthing, thank you very much _ come down, so... yeah. pen farthing, thank you very much indeed _

come down, so... yeah. pen farthing, thank you very much indeed for - thank you very much indeed for speaking to us. we appreciate you taking the time and it very difficult day. there is pen farthing, life with us from kabul. let's move straight from kabul back to our bbc correspondent, barbara plett usher, whose life with us from washington, dc. what is the latest we have for my the biden administration or us media and how many us military personnel we believe have died in these attacks? the picture is looking more and more grim, actually. we did have the official statement from the pentagon that a number of us personnel had been killed and a number wounded, but no clarity on how many casualties there were, but we are now getting reports in the us media, quoting us officials, saying that up to 12 members of the us military have been killed and that includes 11 marines and one navy medic. and perhaps quite a few injured. again,

it is a bit unclear, but it sounds as if the casualties could be quite significant. we are expecting the pentagon to brief in a few minutes and then hopefully we will have some clear information to back up these reports. but it is, as you have been talking about, exactly the thing the biden administration was hoping to avoid. ~ ., , ~' avoid. would i be right in thinking that those caught _ avoid. would i be right in thinking that those caught up _ avoid. would i be right in thinking that those caught up in _ avoid. would i be right in thinking that those caught up in this i avoid. would i be right in thinking l that those caught up in this attack, those americans caught up in this attack, would have been involved in the processing of people from the street into the airport?— street into the airport? well, that would make _ street into the airport? well, that would make sense _ street into the airport? well, that would make sense that _ street into the airport? well, that would make sense that they i street into the airport? well, that| would make sense that they would street into the airport? well, that i would make sense that they would be there, you know, doing security, getting... in terms of access to the gates because once people got to the gates because once people got to the gates it would be the military personnel who would vet them, check the documents and let them through, so that is presumably what these

people were doing. they would have been outside the gates where people would be coming to get evacuated. and barbara, just help us put this in context. it is clearly a devastating day for the people of afghanistan, but presumably it has been a very long time since the american military lost this many people in one day? ii american military lost this many people in one day?— american military lost this many people in one day? if the numbers are correct. _ people in one day? if the numbers are correct, yes, _ people in one day? if the numbers are correct, yes, that _ people in one day? if the numbers are correct, yes, that would i people in one day? if the numbers are correct, yes, that would be i are correct, yes, that would be true, and certainly in terms of afghanistan there haven't been casualties in afghanistan, american casualties, for at least 18 months because the former president, donald trump, made a deal with the taliban, and part of that deal was for the taliban to stop attacking us troops. now, it was also supposed to stop attacking afghans, which they did not do, but they did hold up their side of the bargain in terms of not attacking the us and so, this is quite... this is the first time

there have been us casualties in quite a few months and one of the reasons why the americans felt it was time to pull out was polling has shown the american people are tired of what they call the forever war is here and they don't want to see more american troops being killed in them, so this is not... this is something that president biden was hoping to avoid. he also obviously felt this was something that could very much easily happen because there have been warning since last week about the possibility of an attack by islamist extremists, the islamic state group, and it was on factors that led him to him to stick to the deadline of august the 31st for ending the evacuation. barbara plett usher, _ for ending the evacuation. barbara plett usher, for _ for ending the evacuation. barbara plett usher, for the _ for ending the evacuation. barbara plett usher, for the moment i for ending the evacuation. barbara plett usher, for the moment we i for ending the evacuation. barbara i plett usher, for the moment we will leave it there. thank you very much indeed, but we will be back with barbara in washington and of course we will be back in washington as soon as that pentagon briefing begins, butjust to reiterate what i was saying a few minutes ago the right agency has quoted to us officials saying the number of us

troops who have died is at least 12. medics in kabul are saying the overall death toll may be 60. hello there. it felt cooler today right across the board because he had a weak cold front sped a weak cold front spread southwards and introduce fresh air, and quite a bit of cloud in eastern areas, the best of the sunshine is out west. friday similar story, a lot of dry weather around, best of sun in the west and eastern areas. this is the weak cold front which are spreading south, right across the uk. as we head into this evening and overnight, we will all

be in that cooler air mass. central and eastern areas will hold on to the cloud, which will tend to edge westwards, the extremities of western scotland, parts of northern ireland and western england and wales will see clearer skies. it could be quite cool here, temperatures in single figures, but for most with the cloud 10—13 c. for friday a fairly fresh start to the day, a belt of cloud for central and eastern areas, a bit of sunshine across east and south—east into the afternoon, that tending to... fragment in places. the best of the sunshine northern and western areas again, here are light winds and see quite a breezy day in the eastern side of the country, so that will take the edge of the temperatures here, particularly on the north sea coast, mid to high teens, and in the warmer spots 20—22 c. for the weekend, an area of high pressure still dominated, mainly dry, variable amounts of cloud and some good spells of sunshine as well. for the weekend, it looks like our area of high pressure will park itself to the north—west of the uk, so again more of a breeze in the south—east, and a cluster of showers in the near continent, a few of these could encroach into the far south—east of england into the afternoon and here it will be breezy with variable amounts of cloud, the best

of the sunshine in the northern and western areas with the lightest winds and the best temperatures at west as well, 20 degrees or so, but again the high teens at the east. a similar story on sunday, most of the cloud across northern and eastern areas, quite a breeze blowing down the north sea coast there and some shelter and sunin the west and best of the sunshine thereto, into the high teens we have the cloud and the breeze. for monday it looks like a cloudy day generally, probably the best of the sunshine across northern and western areas, so temperatures perhapsjust a little into the high teens for many, top temperature 22 degrees.

this is bbc world news. i'm ros atkins. twin bomb attacks at kabul airport — a health official has told the bbc that at least 60 people have been killed and 1a0 injured — the explosions took place where the us have been stationed — and at a nearby hotel. we were forced to leave the airfield and just as we did that swing those two have been attacked and it happened across the abbey dates. at least one of the attacks was a suicide bombing. the us government says at least 12 military personnel are among the dead — we're expecting a pentagon update shortly — and eyewitnesses describe a chaotic scene. people started running away and we

got out. four or 500 people here