The International Herald Tribune reported that the Afghan insurgent group Hezb-e-Islami had claimed responsibility for attack, as vengeance for the film.

According to the BBC, the victims were refuelling their van at a petrol station close to Kabul International Airport, when the suicide attacker rammed a vehicle into the van.

An eyewitness told the BBC the van refuelled at the same place every day.

The broadcaster that reported Afghan intelligence services believed the attacker had information about the victims and that it was a targeted killing.

The French news agency Agence France Presse reported that the suicide bomber was a woman.

South Africa's international relations and co-operation department said on Tuesday morning the department had received the names of the eight South Africans killed.

"We have received the names of the deceased and are working on establishing contact with families and next-of-kin," said spokesman nelson Kgwete.

"They worked for a private aviation company operating in the country."

The SA High Commission in Islamabad, Pakistan, was informed on Tuesday morning that eight South Africans had been killed in the attack.

Kgwete said the department expressed its condolences to the friends and families of the deceased and said the families would be given assistance.