2nd LD Writethru: Death toll rises to 33 in Afghan suicide bombing: official

At least 33 people were killed while over 100 others wounded after a suicide bomb attack ripped a local bank in eastern Afghan Jalalabad city on Saturday morning, police and health officials said.

The blast took place at around 8:00 a.m. local time (0330 GMT) after a suicide bomber detonated his explosive jacket near the entrance of New Kabul Bank branch, Fazil Ahmad Shirzad, the provincial police chief, told Xinhua.

"Till now 33 killed and more than 100 injured people have been admitted to Jalalabad hospitals this morning. The number of casualties may go up as many injured were in critical condition," Inamullah Miakhel, provincial health spokesman, told local media.

The blast also affected the nearby city's municipality office building.

A witness told local media that dozens of people, including army personnel, were standing in line to enter the bank office when the attack occurred.

The security forces found and safely detonated two motorcycle bombs near the blast site, according to police chief.

The blast also damaged vehicles and shops near the site.

The casualties were shifted to hospitals by ambulances and police vehicles.

Security forces have cordoned off the area for precautionary measures.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

Nearly 3,700 civilians were killed and more than 6,800 others wounded in conflicts and Taliban-led attacks in 2014, according to official figures released by UN mission in the country.

The officials blamed the attacks of Taliban insurgents and other armed groups for vast majority of the civilian deaths and injuries. Endi