An explosion tore through a crowded mosque in western Afghanistan on Friday, killing at least 18 people, including a prominent cleric.

Axar.az reports citing US news that Taliban officials and a local medic said.

At least 21 people were hurt.

The blast went off in the Guzargah Mosque in the western city of Herat during Friday noon prayers, the highlight of the Muslim religious week when places of worship are particularly crowded.

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As a result of the explosion in the mosque in Herat province of Afghanistan, the number of dead has reached 47, and at least 80 people have been injured.

"Al-Jazeera" TV channel reported on this.

Muhaib Urrahman Ansari, imam-khatib of the mosque, is among the dead.

ISIS terrorist group claimed responsibility for the attack.