KABUL, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) — The death toll of a massive car bombing in Kabul on Saturday climbed to 40 with 140 others wounded, health official Wahid Majroh told Xinhua.

"So far, 40 were killed and the 140 wounded have been admitted to Kabul hospitals from today's Kabul terror attack but the number may change," Wahid Majroh, a public health ministry spokesman, confirmed to Xinhua.

The blast occurred roughly at 12:50 p.m. local time (0820 GMT) near the Jamhoriat Hospital, where several government offices are located.

Taliban militant group has claimed responsibility for the bomb attack.

Among those affected by the blast were women and children.

The old building of the Afghan Interior Ministry is located at the area.

Security forces have cordoned off the area for precautionary measures