Dozens were killed in a bomb blast outside a sugar factory in north Afghanistan on Tuesday. According to authorities, five members of Parliament were among the victims.

The blast took place in the town of Pul-i-Khumri which is approximately 150 kms north of Kabul. However, officials said that they were still trying to ascertain the number of dead and injured victims.

A senior health official said that the victims were still being admitted to the local hospitals.  Initial reports suggested that over 50 people had been killed and many injured in the blast. Many of the injured victims were schoolchildren.

The president's office confirmed that five members of Parliament, who were on an official visit to the factory, died in the blast.

According to police officials, this is the deadliest attack in Afghanistan since the fall of the Taliban.