The attack on a US convoy passing through a busy Afghan market killed at least 20 people [Reuters]

More than 55 other civilians were hurt in the attack in the eastern province of Nangarhar on Thursday morning, officials said.

One 13-year-old child died in hospital from his injuries and the toll is expected to rise.

A US military spokesman said that a US soldier also died.

According to Ahmad Zia Abdulzai, a spokesman for the provincial governor, a bomber rammed his vehicle into the convoy as it travelled through the Bati Kot district.

Market blast

Ghafoor Khan, a spokesman for the provincial police chief, said that the market was crowded with people buying and selling sheep, cows, goats and other animals at the time.

Khaibar Mohamand, a local governor, said: "At least nine civilians are killed here on the spot."

The blast comes a day after an intelligence agency in Kandahar province was attacked. At least seven people died in that bomb attack.

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