At least seven people have been confirmed dead and 86 others wounded as a car bomb struck Qalat city, the capital of southern Afghanistan's Zabul province on Thursday, provincial government spokesman Gul Islam Sayal said, Trend reports citing Xinhua.

According to Sayal, a terrorist riding an explosive-laden car detonated it next to the hospital in Qalat city at around 6:00 a.m. local time, killing seven people and wounding 86 others.

However, he added that the casualties might go up as search operation and investigation are going on.