Kabul suicide blast death toll increases to 55

Nov. 21 (UPI) -- The death toll from a suicide bombing at a Kabul hotel increased to 55, health officials said Wednesday.

The Afghan Health Ministry said the toll increased from 43 people to 55 and that 94 people sustained injuries in the blast Tuesday. Of the injured, more than 20 were in critical condition.

Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish said the blast went off inside the Oranus Hotel. A wedding and a celebration marking the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad was being held at the time the bomb went off around 6:20 p.m.

Danish said the bomber walked into the gathering during a reading of the Koran and blew himself up.

No group claimed responsibility for the attack.

"We have launched investigation regarding the security arrangements for the gathering," Danish said.