A Taliban official has said that at least 13 people have been killed in the attack on Kabul airport. The official said the number included women and children and that a number of Taliban guards had also been wounded, however this has not been confirmed by Nato sources.

       The Ministry of Defence said it is "working urgently" to establish what happened in Kabul and "its impact on the ongoing evacuation effort".

       A statement added: "Our primary concern remains the safety of our personnel, British citizens and the citizens of Afghanistan."

       At this stage it is not believed any British nationals were killed in the attack.

       Western officials had asked large crowds gathered outside the gates to leave the area following warnings of an imminent - and unspecified - terrorist attack.

       Armed forces minister James Heappey warned earlier that there was "very credible reporting" of an "imminent" and "severe" threat to Kabul airport.

       A No 10 spokeswoman said: "The Prime Minister has been updated on the situation at the airport in Kabul and will chair a COBRA later this afternoon."

       In an update on Twitter, US Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the explosion resulted in an "unknown number of casualties".

       He said: "We can confirm that the explosion near the Abbey Gate of the Kabul airport has resulted in an unknown number of casualties. We will continue to update."

       It is not yet known who is responsible.

       The explosion took place at the Abbey gate on the southeastern edge of the airport.

       It is currently believed the explosion was the result of a car bomb - although this is yet to be verified.

       There was another explosion at the closeby Baron Hotel, which is believed to be a suicide bomber.

       DON'T MISS

       Taliban LIVE: TWO explosions in Kabul – many dead including children [REPORT]

       'God help you, America!' Fears for US future as Biden sparks fury [INSIGHT]

       Boris Johnson's 3 KEY demands to the Taliban in G7 crunch talks [ANALYSIS]

       Alicia Kearns, a member of the foreign affairs and national security strategy committees, said there had been "many hurt" in an attack at the Baron Hotel, where the UK is processing Britons and Afghans eligible for evacuation.

       The Conservative MP tweeted: "A bomb or attack with gun fire at northern gate of Baron's Hotel. Worried this will devastate evacuation - so many hurt. My heart is with all those injured and killed."

       Images said to be from the aftermath of the attack outside Kabul airport appear to show injured people with bloodied clothes being moved in wheelbarrows.

       The BBC has also reported: "Videos shared online show piles on piles of dead bodies, so expect the casualties figures to rise."

       An emergency hospital in Kabul says more than 30 people have been injured in two explosions near Kabul airport.

       It was reported that at least six people died as they were rushed to hospital.

       Overall, the Taliban claim at least 13 people have been killed in the attack, but this number is expected to rise.