At least one person was killed and eight others were wounded in a blast on Saturday that occurred at the Tabyan Cultural Center in Mazar-e-Sharif, Balkh province.

Five journalists and three children were among the wounded.

The explosion occurred in Tabyan Cultural Center, where journalists were supposed to be honored in a meeting. 

A TOLOnews reporter in Mazar-e-Sharif said that a number of reporters, religious clerics, and local officials participated in the conference.

"This morning, around 11:00am in PD 2 of Mazar-e-Sharif at the Tabyan Cultural Center, which belongs to Shia brothers, a blast happened. Unfortunately, five journalists and three children were wounded. The condition of the wounded is satisfactory," said Mohammad Asif Waziri, a spokesman for the Balkh security department.

A TOLOnews reporter was injured at the event.

Media-supporting organizations and journalists condemned the attack and called for the protection of journalists.

"Today's blast in Balkh that also caused injuries to a number of journalists and media employees, is really concerning. It had a negative impact on the morale of the media community," said Masror Lutfi, a member of Afghanistan’s Journalists Union.

"We are very disheartened by today's blast. Some of our beloved friends suffered heavy injuries," said Nabi Sabor, a journalist.

"I saw the journalists who were on the bed and were wounded. But it is good news that there is no one killed among the journalists," said Hayatullah Ishaqzai, journalist.

Meanwhile, residents in Mazar-e-Sharif urged the caretaker Afghan government to provide security.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the blast.

This blast in Mazar-e-Sharif, capital of Balk province, is the second within the past three days.

On Thursday, the governor of Balkh, Mohammad Dawood Muzamil, was killed in a blast that happened inside his office.