Yahoo TV

STORY: A suicide attack at a tutoring center in the Afghan capital Kabul killed at least 19 people and wounded dozens, police said on Friday.

But there was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast.

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

Police said the attack was at a private tutoring center where an exam was taking place.

"We were in the midst of the exam and suddenly an explosion occurred. The blast happened between where the girls were seated. The girls were sitting at the first row and we (the boys) were sitting behind them. When I got out of the class, I injured myself with a barbed wire."

"I was sitting inside my booth when the blast happened. When I heard the sound of the explosion, I saw pieces of flesh in the air. People were so panicked, some were injured and some were crying. I went to help them, I helped to carry some dead bodies. The casualty toll was so high and the Taliban did not allow us to take photos."

The official death toll is likely to rise.

A Taliban source said 33 people had been killed and that female students were among the casualties.

Girls' high schools have been closed in the city in recent months after the ruling Taliban made a U-turn on promises to open all schools.

But Kabul residents and education workers have said female students have still been attending private tutoring centers.

The U.S. condemned the blast as "shameful", adding that "students should be able to pursue an education in peace & without fear".