KABUL, Afghanistan, Aug. 2 (UPI) -- A roadside bomb detonated, killing at least seven members of one family, a provisional government spokesman in Afghanistan said.
In confirming the incident, Jawid Faisal, a spokesman for Kandahar's provincial governor, said at least three others were injured in the explosion Thursday, Khaama Press reported.
Faisal said the family was traveling to attend an engagement ceremony for a relative when the explosion occurred.
The U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said civilian casualties rose by 23 percent so far this year when compared to the same period in 2012. The mission said at least 1,319 civilians were killed and 2,533 others were injured in the first six months of 2013. It blamed militants for the majority of civilian deaths.
