The Latest: 40 dead, 140 wounded in Afghan car bombing

The Afghan Public Health Ministry says 40 people have been killed and 140 wounded in a suicide car bombing in the capital Kabul claimed by the Taliban.

Nasrat Rahimi, deputy spokesperson for the Interior Ministry, said the attacker used an ambulance to get through one security checkpoint by telling police he was taking a patient to a nearby hospital. He detonated his explosives at a second check point, Rahimi said.

Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, claimed responsibility for the attack, which sent thick, dark smoke into the sky from from the site of the explosion near the government's former Interior Ministry building.

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2:20 p.m.

The Afghan Public Health Ministry says 17 people have been killed and 110 wounded in a suicide car bombing in the capital Kabul claimed by the Taliban.

Nasrat Rahimi, deputy spokesperson for the Interior Ministry, said the attacker used an ambulance to get through one security checkpoint by telling police he was taking a patient to a nearby hospital. He detonated his explosives at a second check point, Rahimi said.

Zabihullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, claimed responsibility for the attack, which sent thick, dark smoke into the sky from from the site of the explosion near the government's former Interior Ministry building.

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2 p.m.

An Interior Ministry official says a suicide car bomb attack in the Afghan capital Kabul has left at least 70 wounded.

Nasrat Rahimi, deputy spokesperson for the ministry has confirmed the Saturday morning attack.

Thick, dark smoke can be seen rising from the site of the Saturday explosion near the old Interior Ministry building.

Kabul has been the site of numerous bombing attacks claimed by the Islamic State group and the Taliban over the last year.

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1:45 p.m.

A government official says at least 18 people have been wounded in an explosion in the city center of Afghanistan's capital Kabul.

Ismail Kawasi, spokesman for the Public Health Ministry, says 18 wounded have been brought to hospitals, but he expects the casualty count to rise as ambulances bring in more victims.

Thick, dark smoke can be seen rising from the site of the Saturday explosion near the old Interior Ministry building.

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1:25 p.m.

An official says a powerful explosion has rocked the city center in the Afghan capital of Kabul.

Thick, dark smoke can be seen rising into the sky following a loud explosion near the old Interior Ministry building Saturday.

Nasrat Rahimi, deputy spokesperson for the ministry, says it's not immediately clear if anyone was killed or wounded.

However, Associated Press reporters saw ambulances rushing toward the site.

Kabul has been the site of numerous bombing attacks claimed by the Islamic State group and the Taliban over the last year.