The death toll of the attack on a maternity ward in the west of Kabul on Tuesday has risen to 24, according to the Ministry of Public Health, which said that 16 others were wounded in the attack that ended after more than five hours of fighting on Tuesday.

Three attackers stormed the hospital that admits mothers and their children on Tuesday morning, shocking the residents of Kabul who are already grappling with the sharp increase in the number of COVID-19 cases.

The Ministry of Interior Affairs had reported 14 dead and 15 wounded in the attack, initially. Women and children were among the victims of the attack, according to officials.

The attack sparked widespread global reactions by politicians and international organizations who called it a "heinous" terror attack and an act against humanity.

The attack started with an explosion outside the hospital and then the attackers entered the facility, fighting with security forces for hours, who quickly arrived at the scene.