KABUL: A US air strike on a Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) hospital in Kunduz city of Afghanistan on Saturday, killing initially nine staff members and seriously wounded dozens during bombardment reportedly continued for more than 30 minutes.
Death toll rises up to 16 so far following confirmation of MSF officials and 37 people were amongst seriously wounded in the incident.
The air strike was conducted early Saturday that engulfed whole building in flames while photos of the hospital showed staff shocked and dazed following the horrific bombing, foreign news agency reported.
According to the report, nine MSF staff members confirmed dead so far while 37 people were and there were many patients and staff who remain unaccounted as yet.
MSF said some 105 patients and their caregivers, as well as more than 80 international and local MSF staff, were in the hospital at the time of the bombing.
In a statement, the Taliban accused “barbaric American forces” of deliberately carrying out Saturday’s strike, which “killed and wounded tens of doctors, nurses and patients”.
On the other hand, the Afghan defence ministry in a statement said that ‘a group of terrorists armed with light and heavy weapon… were using the hospital building as a position to target Afghan forces and civilians.’
NATO conceded US forces may have been behind the strike but has not so far commented on the specific claims of MSF, which has long treated the war-wounded from all sides of the conflict.
A NATO statement said, ‘US forces conducted an air strike in Kunduz city at 2:15 am (local time)… against individuals threatening the force,’ ‘The strike may have resulted in collateral damage to a nearby medical facility. This incident is under investigation.’
It should be mentioned here that Taliban insurgents overran the northern Afghan city on Monday as it was the first major city to be captured by militants since 2001.
