Death toll rises to 26 in Kabul bombing

KABUL, Afghanistan, Sept. 20 (UPI) -- The death toll from a car bombing in Afghanistan has risen to 26, including six Italian soldiers whose bodies were returned to Italy Sunday, officials said.

Sixteen people died in Thursday's bombing in Kabul and another 10 died of their injuries since the bombing near the Supreme Court, CNN reported Sunday.

In Rome, lawmakers, families and an honor guard Sunday met the flag-draped coffins of the six Italian soldiers. A state funeral was scheduled Monday with one minute of silence in schools and public buildings throughout Italy, the BBC said.

The soldiers' deaths were the largest loss of life Italy has suffered since sending troops to Afghanistan five years ago.

The deaths sparked new debate about Italy's role in Afghanistan. About 500 troops sent to Afghanistan this summer are to return to Italy by Christmas while another 2,800 will remain in Afghanistan until NATO says they are no longer needed, Italian Defense Minister Ignazio La Russa said.