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Deaths as riots sweep KabulDozens of rebel fighters also killed in coalition airstrike
 Demonstrators throw stones at a coalition military vehicle in Kabul. SPECIAL REPORT
YOUR E-MAIL ALERTSKABUL, Afghanistan (CNN) -- At least eight people were killed and more than 100 injured on Monday in Afghanistan's capital from riots after a U.S. military truck crashed into a crowd of pedestrians, military and Afghan officials said. Rioting fueled by anti-U.S. anger swept through Kabul left 109 wounded, said Abdullah Fahim, adviser to the Afghan health ministry. Afghan President Hamid Karzai's office said five people were killed in the vehicle crash. The U.S. military, in a statement issued earlier, said at least one person was killed in the crash and six were wounded, two of them critically. The military described it as a "tragic accident." As the rioting spread, the U.S. military headquarters was locked down, and personnel were told to put on full protective gear. Afghan security forces fanned out in hopes of bringing order. The Afghan government implemented a curfew Monday night, U.S. military officials said. Video from one rioting site after the crash showed a U.S. military vehicle firing in the direction of a crowd of Afghans. Military officials, after seeing the video, said an investigation was under way. Afghan officials called it the worst day of rioting in Kabul since the fall of the Taliban regime. Fahim said Afghan officials did not immediately know how many people were killed and wounded in the crash. Throughout the day, sporadic gunfire could be heard. Video from news agencies showed buildings on fire, with papers strewn throughout the streets. Some angry protesters threw rocks and overturned Afghan police cars. The office compound of the aid group CARE International was set on fire. Charred computer equipment and papers could be seen on the ground. "More than one of the structures in the compound was set on fire. There is definitely some property damage," said CARE spokesman Rick Perera at the agency's U.S. headquarters in Atlanta. CARE is not aware of anyone being hurt in the building, Perera said. Throughout Kabul, firefighters were deployed to numerous buildings to control the blazes. Dozens of protesters outside the U.S. Embassy screamed "Death to Americans!" "We want America out of this country! We hate America! They have no responsibility!" said protester Ajmal Jan. Embassy spokesman Chris Harris said many embassy personnel were sent to bunkers during the rioting, and were "in secure locations" for about 90 minutes. "When it was determined that there was no direct threat to the compound, we returned to our offices," he added. "We have no reports of any injuries to our staff from today." Personnel have been instructed not to leave the U.S. compound Tuesday, he said. Protesters outside the embassy, and elsewhere in the capital, yelled "Death to Karzai," accusing the president of being a virtual puppet for the United States. The statement from Karzai's office called on Afghans to "remain calm and practice restraint." After hearing of the accident, "The president immediately summoned the security forces and instructed them to investigate the incident and ask the Coalition Forces for explanation," the statement said. Although there have frequently been attacks on U.S. military personnel in parts of Afghanistan, such widespread anti-U.S. protests have been unheard of in Kabul since the U.S.-led war ousted the Taliban regime in late 2001. But Monday's riots did not target only government and international sites. All sorts of areas were caught up in the wake. "This action first appeared as a protest. Then we realized they were stealing our furniture and setting fire to our restaurant," said Mohammad Naeem, owner of Kabul Pizza Express restaurant. "We don't know why they have done this." The U.S. military kept personnel on its heavily fortified base Monday and worked to make sure everyone was accounted for. The crash took place Monday morning when a truck in a U.S. military convoy lost its brakes and crashed into as many as 12 civilian cars and a group of pedestrians, the U.S. military said. "U.S. soldiers at the scene immediately provided medical assistance to the injured. The injured were taken to local hospitals for treatment. Afghan national security forces also reported to the accident scene," said U.S. Army Col. Tom Collins, a coalition military spokesman in Afghanistan. An angry crowd gathered around the wreck scene and became hostile, Collins said in a written statement. "There are indications that at least one coalition military vehicle fired warning shots over the crowd," he said. "This was a tragic incident and we deeply regret any deaths or injuries resulting from this incident. Although this incident is very regrettable, the coalition remains committed to working together with the Afghan people to build a better future." He added, "In accordance with appropriate policies, compensation will be paid to those who are entitled." Copyright 2006 CNN. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report. 
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