Rocket hits outside luxury hotel in Afghan capital

KABUL (AP) — Ambulances have been racing toward the scene of a large explosion in the Afghan capital, Kabul.

The Interior Ministry says a rocket hit outside the luxury Serena Hotel. At least two people have been wounded, but there have been no reports of deaths so far.

The area has been blocked off by dozens of police and army officers. The sound of wailing ambulance sirens came from many directions.

A shopkeeper who was waiting outside the hotel says he saw the rocket crash into a wall of the hotel's compound. He said it appeared to have come from nearby.

The heavily guarded Serena regularly houses visiting diplomats, officials and international workers. It has been the target of attacks before. Just last month a rocket slammed into a courtyard, but no one was hurt.

The most serious attack occurred in January 2008, when militants stormed the hotel in a coordinated assault that killed seven people.

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<<APPHOTO ANS101 (11/21/09)>>

: An Afghan police officer rushes to the scene where a rocket hit outside the luxury Serena Hotel in Kabul, Afghanistan, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. At least two people were injured, the Afghan Interior Ministry said.