Kabul: At least 20 people were feared dead or injured when a major explosion went off on September 5 close to a government ministry in the centre of Kabul in what witnesses said was a car bomb.

A spokesman for the International Security Assistance Force said that the explosion had gone off in the vicinity of the Ministry of Information and Culture in downtown Kabul just before 15:00 hours (10:30 GMT).

One casualty of the blast, who was heavily bandaged, said that a station wagon had exploded near the ministry and the Spinzar Hotel.

Another witness, Najibullah Aryan, said that he had seen at least 20 people lying on the ground close to the ministry.

"I was coming out of the culture ministry when the first blast went off," said Aryan.

"There were two explosions. The first was not so big but the second was very large.

"I saw more than 20 people lying on the ground," he added.

Interior Minister Taj Mohammad Wardak had earlier confirmed that there had been an explosion although he did not have any details about casualties.

Armed police had sealed off roads around the area to the public and the press.

No damage could be seen beyond the cordon, although debris was scattered over a wide area.