At least 80 have been killed and more than 350 in a powerful blast in Kabul's diplomatic quarter early Wednesday, according to Afghan Public Health Ministry.

Preliminary reports are suggesting the blast occurred in the vicinity of Wazir Mohammad Akbar Khan area.

The spokesman, Najib Danish, said he was unable to give a breakdown of the toll. A health ministry spokesman said more than 60 wounded people, mainly civilians, had been rushed to Kabul hospitals, adding: "We don't know the number of killed yet".

It is a high-security area which is home to embassies and diplomatic missions.

The blast occurred not very far from the Indian Embassy.

Sources told IANS that there were no casualties to any Indian national but window panes of the embassy building were shattered.

Images circulating on social media appeared to show a large cloud of black smoke over the city, BBC said.

"Massive explosion just shattered all the windows and glass in our bureau," Jessica Donati, who covers Afghanistan for the Wall Street Journal, wrote on her Twitter account.

Source: Khaleej Times