On January 19, 2026 local time, according to Kabul police, the incident is still under investigation. A spokesperson for the Afghan Ministry of Interior stated that the explosion occurred near a Chinese restaurant and an explosive device was found at the scene. The specific casualties have not been determined, and relevant investigation work is currently underway.

On January 19, 2026, the restaurant staff told reporters that an Afghan security personnel died in the explosion, and two Chinese citizens were seriously injured and have been sent to the hospital for emergency treatment. On January 19th, CCTV reporters learned from Kabul Emergency Hospital that 20 people, including one child and four women, were taken to the hospital after the explosion, with seven of them dying before admission. The hospital did not specify whether there were Chinese citizens among the casualties. On the evening of January 19th, the emergency center in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, announced that after the explosion in the city center, the center received 13 wounded and 7 others arrived without vital signs. The emergency center announced on its website that four women and one child were among the injured. On the evening of January 19th, the police in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, confirmed that the explosion caused the death of a Chinese citizen. In addition, one Chinese citizen was seriously injured.

Given the current security situation in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Embassy in Afghanistan remind Chinese citizens not to travel to Afghanistan temporarily. Chinese citizens in the area should strengthen security precautions and evacuate as soon as possible.Editor/Yang Meiling