UPDATING: A Dozen U.S. Service Members Killed In Kabul
LATEST on Kabul (3:20 pm): Twelve U.S. service members have been killed in Kabul terror attacks. Eleven were Marines and one was a Navy medic.
We continue to provide breaking news updates about the tragedy outside of the Abbey Gate at Kabul’s airport, where a suicide bomb injured at least three U.S. Marines.
UPDATE (12:26 pm): In a heart-breaking interview with Fox News Thursday, an Afghan who worked for the United States Marine Corps provided on-the-scenes updates. The man, known as Carl, witnessed the explosion, detailing that a baby girl died in his arms.
I am an Afghan worked for the United States Marine Corps and I was ready to go and get close to the airport and get on a plane and get out of here, the Marine told Bill Hemmer in the following exchange:
Carl: There was an explosion that happened inside the crowd. A lot of people got hurt and I got a baby girl. She was 5 years old she died right in my hand. I don't know what exactly what is going on over there. I think some of the Americans got hurt, too. And so people are running around. I tried to help her. She was not my baby girl. She was somebody else's girl. I saw her on the ground and I picked her up but she died right in my hands at that time.
Hemmer: I'm so sorry.
Carl: Right now I have some casualties with me in my vehicle and I am taking them to the hospital. They said there was a suicide bomb that happened inside the crowd. Some people are saying that the U.S. they were shooting flash bangs and stuff and it might be they made a mistake or something. I cannot say what exactly happened but the explosion was very bad and there are a lot of people - . I got people in my vehicle and am trying to take them to the hospital. I was wanting to get on the plane. I am trying to get out. I shouldn't be exposed but it is what it is right now.
Hemmer: There is a lot going on in your life right now understandably so. Two questions. You said Americans may have been wounded or affected as well. But the Americans were inside the airport, were they not? So if that's the case, how would they have been hit by this bomb?
Carl: No, so the explosion happened by a canal. Americans were on the other side of the canal and checking people's passports and visas, they were checking them by the airport. That's why they were outside.
Hemmer: How many people are in your vehicle heading for the hospital?
Carl: Right now I've got two casualties and I got two other guys that are okay.
Here is the video clip of the exchange:
(11:18 am)
At least three U.S. service members have been injured after a suicide bombing outside of the Abbey Gate at Kabul's airport. Fox News reports that a firefight ensued inside the Afghanistan airport immediately following the suicide bombing. Officials recently confirmed a second explosion at the nearby Baron Hotel, a common gathering place for Americans seeking to flee the country.
John Kirby, the Pentagon's Press Secretary, confirmed the airport explosion via Twitter: "We can confirm an explosion outside Kabul airport. Casualties are unclear at this time. We will provide additional details when we can."
Amid the chaos in Kabul, the United States Embassy in Afghanistan has issued an immediate travel warning: "U.S. citizens should avoid traveling to the airport and avoid airport gates at this time."
"There has been a large explosion at the airport, and there are reports of gunfire. U.S. citizens who are at the Abbey Gate, East Gate, or North Gate now should leave immediately."
On Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken speculated that there could be as many as 1,500 still waiting to be evacuated from the country.
*Check back to OutKick for more updates on Kabul.