The chaotic scramble to evacuate people from Afghanistan was soon replaced by fear and desperation after the bombing. It was one of America's deadliest days in the nearly 20-year war in Afghanistan and came days before President Joe Biden's Aug. 31 deadline for withdrawing troops.
One explosion was triggered by a suicide bomber at a gate where people must go through a security check before getting onto the airfield. A second blast happened at a hotel where many people, including Afghans, Britons and Americans, were told to gather before heading to the airport for evacuation.
Graphic photos and video published after the attacks showed people fleeing the scene and large numbers of Afghans injured. Images from reporters inside the airport showed a large dust cloud shrouding part of the airport as people scattered from the explosion.
A monthslong U.S. investigation into the bombing determined a single suicide bomber whose explosive vest was packed with ball bearings was responsible for the carnage, differing from earlier reports there may have been more than one attacker.
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