Kabul: One person was killed, and eight others were critically injured on Saturday in a blast at a cultural center in the northern Afghan city of Mazar-i-Sharif in the Balkh province, Afghan broadcaster Ariana News reported.

The explosion occurred at about 11.30 local time (07:00 GMT), the report said.

The Afghan Interior Ministry confirmed the death of the center's security guard. Five journalists and three children were also injured in the blast, the broadcaster said.

No terror group has yet claimed responsibility for the explosion.

The incident comes two days after another blast took place in Balkh, which killed the provincial governor, Mohammad Dawood Muzamil, and two other people at his office.

The Islamic State terrorist group (IS, banned in Russia) claimed responsibility for the explosion.