Kabul airport explosion – Huge blast and gunfire outside Afghanistan airport as thousands try to flee Taliban

AN explosion has taken place outside Afghanistan’s Kabul airport where thousands of people were waiting to be evacuated.

A US official confirmed the blast was caused by a suicide bomb at Abbey Gate, with at least three US troops reported to have been injured.

The blast comes just hours after UK and the US warned citizens to leave the area and seek shelter elsewhere amid fears of terrorist activity in the area.

But thousands of desperate Afghans remained at the airport, hoping to make their way on flights leaving the country and escaping the Taliban.

The explosion took place near the Baron hotel outside the airport, according to Sky News – which is where British troops and journalists have been staying.

Read our Kabul explosion live blog for the latest updates…