The government of the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday ordered three days of national mourning, and all flags to be flown at half-mast, after five UAE diplomats were killed in the deadly bombing in Kandahar on Tuesday.

The UAE Ambassador to Afghanistan Juma Mohammed Abdullah Al Kaabi was also wounded in the incident.

The official Emirati news agency, WAM stated the UAE diplomats had been in Kandahar "on a mission to carry out humanitarian, educational and development projects". 

Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said on Twitter that "there is no human, moral or religious justification for the bombing and killing of people trying to help" others.

Tuesday night’s explosion took place at a gathering of high-ranking provincial officials and UAE diplomats. In total 11 people were killed and 16 were wounded.

The officials had reportedly gathered at the guesthouse for a dinner.

The UAE diplomats killed were Mohammed Ali Zainal Al Bastaki, Abdullah Mohammed Essa Obaid Al Kaabi, Ahmed Rashid Salim Ali Al Mazroui, Ahmed Abdul Rahman Ahmad Al Tunaiji, and Abdul Hamid Sultan Abdullah Ibrahim Al Hammadi.