The death toll from a suicide car bomb blast in the western part of Afghanistan's capital Kabul on Monday rose by more than 10 to at least 35 with at least 40 others injured, Reuters reported.

The car bomb struck a bus carrying government employees during the morning rush hour, destroying the bus, three civilian vehicles and several nearby shops.

(Getty)

Children were among the wounded in the blast, which happened in a part of the city where many of the mainly Shiite Hazara community live, according to Reuters.

The Taliban earlier claimed responsibility for the blast, saying employees of the government's intelligence service were targeted.

However, the bus in question was carrying staff of the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, according to media reports.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani condemned the attack "on civilians and government employees."

According to the U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, there were 1,662 civilian deaths in the first half of 2017, with Kabul accounting for nearly 20 percent of the toll.

Security has been worsening in Afghanistan as not only the Taliban but also the militant Islamic State have been stepping up their attacks.

(Getty)