A Taliban attack on a convoy of vehicles in Afghanistan claimed the lives of five Americans on Saturday.

A young diplomat and three U.S. soldiers were among the victims of the car bomb in the border province of Zabul.

A civilian employee and Afghan civilians also died.

Provincial governor Mohammad Ashraf Nasery was in the convoy, but escaped unharmed.

(SOUNDBITE) (Pashto) GOVERNOR OF ZABUL PROVINCE, MOHAMMAD ASHRAF NASERY, SAYING:

"My convoy was on the move on the road, I was ordered by my assistant to leave the area quickly when we felt under the threat, suddenly the bomber blew up. As a result two of my body guards in the car in front of me were wounded."

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the Zabul attack in a text message.