Kabul - A blast believed to have been triggered by a suicide bomber wounded at least seven Afghans and four US soldiers near the German embassy in Kabul on Saturday, officials said.

The attack took place in the front the embassy, which is across from a US military base and some 200 metres from the presidential palace, officials said.

Several vehicles in front of the embassy's gate were ablaze and thick smoke was billowing from the area.

Tolo, a private TV channel showed several Afghan municipal workers soaked in their blood being rushed off the scene by a pick-up truck.

The area, which is one of the city's main intersection was cordoned off by Afghan and US military soldiers.

It was immediately unknown if the attack was aimed at the German embassy personnel or any if any of the diplomats were among the victims.

There were conflicting reports about whether anyone was killed in the attack. Defence ministry spokesman General Zahir Azimi said, "Several were killed and wounded in the attack." But Zemarai Bashary, interior ministry spokesman only confirmed that seven Afghans were wounded.

US military also said that the attack happened near one of their military bases, Camp Eggers, wounding four US service members.

"The injuries are not life-threatening at this time," the military said in a statement.

Local media, citing witnesses, said that two Afghan civilians were killed in the attack, but no Afghan official confirmed the figures.

No group immediately took responsibility for the Saturday's attack. Taliban militants have carried out hundreds of such attacks in the past.

The militants were responsible for more than 120 suicide bombings in 2008 in Afghanistan. More than 50 people including two Indian diplomats were killed in a suicide attack against Indian embassy in July last year. (dpa)