Explosion outside Afghan defence ministry as US defence secretary visits country

KABUL – Afghan officials say there was an explosion outside the Afghan defence ministry causing multiple casualties, as U.S. Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel visits the country.

Afghan police spokesman Hashmat Stanekzai says an apparent suicide attacker on a bicycle hit the main entrance to the defence ministry around 9 a.m. local time.

Officials are still trying to determine the number of casualties.

Hagel was in a meeting at a coalition facility in Kabul and defence officials say he is in a safe location and unharmed.

Reporters travelling with Hagel were in a briefing when they heard the explosion, and were moved to a lower floor of the same building.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly.

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