The public health ministry on Thursday confirmed the death toll from the American University of Afghanistan attack had risen to 16 by Thursday afternoon.

In addition, 53 people had been wounded.

At least eight people had been admitted to the Kabul Emergency Hospital in critical condition, one of whom died on Thursday, said public health ministry officials.

Khawja Qamaruddin Sediqi, advisor for the ministry of public health said: "Eight of the wounded people were in critical condition."

Daud, a student at the AUAF, who was wounded in the attack, said when they realized shooters were coming toward them they turned off the lights and hid in the dark. However, this did not stop insurgents from opening fire in the dark classroom, he said.

"I myself saw that the insurgents came inside. After that I put my head down waiting to die and did not understand what was happening; (I thought) I am going to die tonight. My head was down when they opened fire and shot three to four times. I did not understand where and who they were firing on," said Daud.

Daud said he was wounded and had been about to jump from the third floor window when the insurgents retreated.

Public health ministry officials meanwhile confirmed on Thursday afternoon that among those killed were eight students, including two females, three Crisis Response Unit (CRU) members, two security guards, two university professors and one civilian from the adjoining school where the initial car bomb was detonated.

"Five females are among the 19 wounded that have been brought to the emergency hospital. Thirty wounded are in serious condition and one of them died," said Dr Dejan Panic, program director for the emergency hospital.

Around 700 students were present on the campus when the attack happened. Most of the students were rescued by security forces.