Fourteen Nepalese citizens were killed and nine people were injured after a suicide bomber struck a mini bus in the Afghan capital on Monday, the Interior Ministry said.

A suicide bomber approached and targeted the bus carrying personnel of a foreign company at around 5.40 a.m., killing 14 of them, Xinhua news agency quoted the ministry as saying in a statement.

The statement noted that five Nepalese and four Afghans were wounded in the attack which occurred in Banahi area along Pul-e-Charkhi road which is also called Jalalabad road.

The victims were serving as security guards in a foreign embassy in central Kabul, reported TOLO News.

Sediq Sediqi of the Interior Ministry said primary reports revealed the victims were Nepalese nationals who worked for Canada’s embassy in Kabul, Xinhua reported.

The attacker was killed on the spot and the blast also damaged several civilian vehicles and shops near the site.

Zabiullah Mujahid, a purported Taliban spokesman, claimed responsibility for the attack.

Government Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah and the Afghan Interior Ministry condemned the attack.