This archive report was first published on 26 August 2021.
On August 26, 2021, a devastating twin suicide bomb attack occurred outside Kabul airport, leaving a trail of destruction and chaos in its wake.
The attack, which took place at the Abbey Gate, resulted in the deaths of at least 40 people and injured over 120 others, according to Afghan health ministry sources.
The US has confirmed that there were several US and civilian casualties in the attack, which occurred just hours after the US and its allies had warned of a potential deadly attack.
UK Armed Forces Minister James Heappey had earlier warned that the attack could be 'severe' and imminent, but the warning seemed to fall on deaf ears as dozens of people remained crowded at the scene despite the warning.
The attack has raised concerns about the safety of the airport, which has been a key location for the evacuation of thousands of people from Afghanistan in the wake of the Taliban's takeover.
Former US Army battalion commander Mike Johnson said that observers 'all knew that this was going to happen', highlighting the sense of inevitability surrounding the attack.
As the situation continues to unfold, there are fears of further attacks at the airport, which has been a focal point for the evacuation efforts of many western countries.
One eyewitness, Milad, described the scene of the first explosion, saying 'Bodies, flesh and people were thrown into a canal nearby.'
