A loud explosion has been heard in the Afghan capital of Kabul.
Witnesses said the blast occurred at around 01:25 local time on Monday (20:55 GMT on Sunday) and could be heard across the city.
Power appeared to cut off in briefly in parts of the city shortly before the explosion, according to reports on social media.
Gul Agha Rohani, Kabul's deputy chief of police, said the explosion happened east of the city's international airport.
Rohani named the Northgate Hotel, which houses international contractors, without further details.
An email message from Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the insurgents had attacked that hotel.
Afghanistan's Tolo news agency reports that four people may be involved in the incident.
The blast comes about a week after a suicide attack on a demonstration by members of Afghanistan's Hazara community killed at least 80 people and wounded more than 230.
There was no word on casualties.
Additional reporting by agencies
More follows...
