A Romanian diplomat, employed at Romania’s Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, has died and another one has been seriously injured in a terror attack in Kabul on Tuesday, the Romanian Foreign Affairs Ministry announced.
A vehicle blew up in the Afghan capital on Tuesday morning near a building used by the international organisations. 21 people lost their lives, while other 119 have been injured.
“During the night of September 2 to September 3, a terror attack targeting foreign citizens occurred in the campus where the Romanian Embassy to Kabul was based. Following the attack, a representative of the Romanian diplomatic mission died and another one was seriously injured. The Romanian citizen who has been injured is to be transferred to Europe as soon as possible, depending to the evolution of his state of health, to benefit of professional medical assistance,” reads a Romanian MFA press release.
FM Ramona Manescu had a phone conversation with the head of the Romanian diplomatic mission in Kabul.
“MFA is standing by the families of our colleagues. We offer our sincere condolences to the victim’s family and we wish a speedy recovery to the injured person,” the press release adds.
The ministry also reported that “both the head of the Romanian diplomatic mission and also the chief of the security team within the embassy had been evacuated in a military base nearby and they are our of danger”.
The Romanian Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the terror attack, while reiterating “Romania’s support in the fight against terrorism, in all its forms”.
The blast, which affected a pretty broad area, has taken place immediately after Zalmay Khalilzad, the American negotiator, had announced that the U.S. will withdraw about 5,000 military from Afghanistan and will close five military camps, according to a draft peace agreement with the Taliban officials.
In a phone intervention to Antena 3, the Romanian FM Ramona Manescu has stated that the terror attack had targeted Romania’s Embassy, explaining it has been a sustained attacked that had lasted for several hours. She said the building where our embassy was based had been destroyed and could not be used anymore.
“It is a very tragic moment for Romania, because a young man lost his life to save the others in an effort to counter this terror attacks. It is unbelievable we still has to face terror attacks. The Embassy, Romania’s diplomatic mission in Kabul has been targeted, it has been a sustained attack involving car bombs, machine gun fires, the way Taliban terrorists usually act,” Manescu said, adding that a state funeral for the Romanian who lost his life would be a normal action.
“The diplomatic staff has been evacuated in the morning and they are safe now. After attacking the central building, they set on fire other outbuildings. The place cannot be used anymore, we’ll restore the mission’s office safely”, the minister added.
Radu-Nicolae Gîmbuțan, the head of the Romanian diplomatic mission to Kabul, was escorted by the Afghan forces during the terror attack, according to a photo posted on Twitter by the Pajhwok Afghan news agency. He was taken to a military base nearby.
“#Romanian Amb to #Kabul rescued from #GreenVillage by Afghan security forces, after suicide attack in PD9 #Kabul city last night,” reads the Pajhwook Afghan News tweet.
Romanian politicians condemn the attack, express condolences
President Klaus Iohannis has strongly condemned the attack, while expressing his condolences to the family of the Romanian diplomat who died in the Kabul attack.
“I strongly condemn the coward terror attack who ended the life of a Romanian citizen and seriously injured another Romanian citizen working at the Romanian Embassy in Kabul. I express my condolences to the grieving family and I wish speedy recovery to the injured Romanian citizen. I reiterate our deep commitment to fight terrorism at international level”, reads a Presidency press release.
PM Viorica Dancila has also condemned the terror attack, stating that the Romanian authorities will not deviate from the fight against terrorism.
“Romania’s Government reaffirms its support to the actions for peace-building and enduring stability in Afghanistan“, said the prime minister.
Viorica Dăncilă has expressed her condolences to the Romanian who died in the attack, and “to all families who lost a relative” and wished good health and strength for a speedy recovery to the injured ones.