At least 40 people – including many students – have been killed after a bomb exploded near a school in west Kabul, according to an Afghan government official.

At least 50 are also reported to have been injured by the blast, which happened in the Shia-majority neighbourhood of Dasht-e-Barchi.

No group has yet claimed responsibility but the area has often been attacked by Islamic State militants over the years.

Angry crowds attacked ambulances heading to the site near Syed Al-Shahda school, said health ministry spokesman Ghulam Dastigar Nazari.

Most of the casualties are believed to be students who were leaving the school.

The Afghan capital is on high alert since the US said last month that it would withdraw all its remaining troops by 11 September.

Officials say the Taliban has increased attacks since the announcement.

However, spokesman for the group Zabihullah Mujahid denied its involvement and condemned the incident.

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