The attack was surprising because it occurred in an area that is generally considered secure. (Courtesy You Tube)

The workers' vehicle had just pulled out of the consulate when a car laden with explosives crashed into them. The impact of the explosion left a crater in the street and the consular vehicle a scorched tangle of metal. Early reports claimed the staffers had died at the scene. The U.S. embassy confirmed they were recieving medical treatment.

No one has taken credit for the attack but Pakistan's Taliban, which has links to al Qaeda, has been blamed for similar attacks in the country.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton condemned the attack while on a trip to Indonesia.

"Once again we deplore the cowardly act of suicide bombing and terrorism that has affected so many people around the world and which we all must stand against," Clinton said.

Read the story at Reuters.

Click here for more coverage of Pakistan.

Reach Executive Producer Dawn Megli here; follow her on Twitter here.