A bomb blast near the western Afghan city of Afghanistan has killed at least six people Herat, local authorities said.

The Commander of Herat, Mawlawi Ansari, informs that nine people were injured in the explosion, reports Reuters.

A Herat health official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the blast occurred in a small van used for public transport shortly after 18pm local time and that three of the injured were in critical condition.