At least 14 civilians were killed and five wounded when a roadside bomb exploded in southern Afghanistan.
Officials said a van carrying an Afghan family was driving along a road in the Marjah district of Helmand Province when it struck an improvised explosive device (IED).
A relative of the family, Mohammad Salih, said the family had fled the district in recent days after getting news that a government offensive could be held there.
Nabil Jan Mullahkhail, the provincial police chief, said women and children were among the dead and that the death toll could rise.
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the blast but the militant Taliban routinely plants IEDs to target Afghan security forces.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said in February that there were more civilian casualties in Afghanistan in 2014 than in any year since 2009.
It added that the Taliban and other Islamic insurgents were responsible for 72 percent of all civilian casualties.
Editors' Picks
Afghanistan/Pakistan Trending
1
Serbia Deepens Military Ties With China Through Drones, Air Defense Systems
2Several Protesters Reported Dead In Iran As Anger Builds Over Dismal Economy
3Why Are So Many Leaders Warning Of War With Russia?
4Scores Of Bodies Outside Morgue In Tehran Amid Deadly Iran Protests
5Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine Now Longer Than Soviet War Against Hitler
6EU Calls For Sanctions On Russian State TV Host, Famed Ballet Dancer
7Tanks On The Tree: Russian Military Ornaments Are Out In Force This Year
8Belarus Jailing Citizens For Supporting Ukraine's Fight Against Russia
9Costs Mount As Afghanistan-Pakistan Trade War Strands Thousands Of Trucks
10Why Israel Now Eyes Iran's Missiles Over Nukes Ahead Of Netanyahu-Trump Talks
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.