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| MSF staff killed in suspected US strike on Kunduz hospital in Afghanistan - latest | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 10.23am BST10:23 | |
| Hospital bombing death toll rises | |
| MSF says nine staff confirmed as dead so far following the bombing at its hospital in Kunduz | |
| It is with deep sadness that we confirm so far the death of nine MSF staff during the bombing last night of MSF’s hospital in #Kunduz. | |
| 10.19am BST10:19 | |
| Related: Aftermath of MSF hospital bombing in Afghanistan - in pictures | |
| 10.04am BST10:04 | |
| More from reporter Sune Engel Rasmussen in Afghanistan: | |
| If it is confirmed that a US airstrike was responsible for the deaths, it will be at least the third time in the past few months such airstrikes have accidentally killed scores of non-insurgents. | |
| In July, two helicopters struck an Afghan National Army outpost on a hill in Logar province, killing eight soldiers and wounding five, seemingly mistaking them for armed rebels. The police chief of Logar said the helicopters were American. The US military confirmed that its troops had been involved in an incident in the area. | |
| In September, Afghan officials claimed a US airstrike killed 11 anti-narcotics police officers working undercover in a desert area of Helmand’s Garmsir district. The US military denied having conducted an airstrike in that area, but confirmed that an attack had taken place in Kandahar’s Maiwand district, which encompasses the same borderless desert area. | |
| A US military spokesperson said the US had conducted 12 airstrikes in Kunduz since Monday when the Taliban seized the city. Through 31 August, the US had conducted 143 airstrikes in Afghanistan, according to military statistics, including a series of strikes to aid Afghan forces push back insurgents from Helmand’s Musa Qala and Kajaki districts. | |
| Updated at 10.10am BST | |
| 9.50am BST09:50 | |
| Here’s some reaction from commentariat on Twitter, many focusing on the alleged US role in the tragedy: | |
| True heroes MT @MSF_Press: Surgery underway in the aftermath of bombing of #MSF's #Kunduz hospital #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/TzloWZ5P0I | |
| Kunduz tragedy…even more inexcusable: https://t.co/rLrf7lZ3a6 | |
| After blasting #Putin for bombing civilians in #Syria, US hits last functioning hospital in #Kunduz #Afghanistan http://t.co/r1Z2hSaEOU | |
| Once more, against all rules, a hospital is attacked. 3 #humanitarians killed. My condolences to @JoanneLiu_MSF & all @MSF staff. #Kunduz | |
| Awful news from #Kunduz - US bombs land on @MSF clinic. And these are "precision" weapons and airstrikes... http://t.co/j0v5HVoa3b | |
| 9.41am BST09:41 | 9.41am BST09:41 |
| All international staff survived airstrike - MSF | All international staff survived airstrike - MSF |
| All 10 international staff at MSF hospital in Kunduz survived the airstrike, @MSF says. #Afghanistan | All 10 international staff at MSF hospital in Kunduz survived the airstrike, @MSF says. #Afghanistan |
| 9.24am BST09:24 | 9.24am BST09:24 |
| More from my colleague Sune Engel Rasmussen: | More from my colleague Sune Engel Rasmussen: |
| The International Committee of the Red Cross has condemned the airstrike, saying it is “deeply shocked by the bombing of the MSF hospital in Kunduz, and strongly condemns such violence against patients, medical workers and facilities.” | The International Committee of the Red Cross has condemned the airstrike, saying it is “deeply shocked by the bombing of the MSF hospital in Kunduz, and strongly condemns such violence against patients, medical workers and facilities.” |
| Jean-Nicolas Marti, Head of the ICRC delegation in Afghanistan, said: “This is an appalling tragedy. Such attacks against health workers and facilities undermine the capacity of humanitarian organizations to assist the Afghan people at a time when they most urgently need it.” | Jean-Nicolas Marti, Head of the ICRC delegation in Afghanistan, said: “This is an appalling tragedy. Such attacks against health workers and facilities undermine the capacity of humanitarian organizations to assist the Afghan people at a time when they most urgently need it.” |
| The US Embassy in Kabul also issued a statement, expressing grief for the families affected by “the tragic incident”: | The US Embassy in Kabul also issued a statement, expressing grief for the families affected by “the tragic incident”: |
| “The U.S. Embassy mourns for the individuals and families affected by the tragic incident at the Doctors without Borders hospital, and for all those suffering from the violence in Kunduz. Doctors without Borders performs heroic work throughout the world, including in Afghanistan, and our thoughts and prayers are with their team at this difficult moment. We remain deeply concerned about the ongoing violence in Kunduz and the difficult humanitarian situation faced by its residents,” the statement read. | “The U.S. Embassy mourns for the individuals and families affected by the tragic incident at the Doctors without Borders hospital, and for all those suffering from the violence in Kunduz. Doctors without Borders performs heroic work throughout the world, including in Afghanistan, and our thoughts and prayers are with their team at this difficult moment. We remain deeply concerned about the ongoing violence in Kunduz and the difficult humanitarian situation faced by its residents,” the statement read. |
| 9.19am BST09:19 | 9.19am BST09:19 |
| Location of MSF hospital 'known' to US forces and partners | Location of MSF hospital 'known' to US forces and partners |
| Sune Engel Rasmussen, reporting for the Guardian in Afghanistan, has this update: | Sune Engel Rasmussen, reporting for the Guardian in Afghanistan, has this update: |
| It seems the US forces and their Afghan partners should have been fully aware of the location of the MSF hospital. During the past week’s fighting, MSF sent out press releases, describing how their hospital staff found themselves on the frontline. | It seems the US forces and their Afghan partners should have been fully aware of the location of the MSF hospital. During the past week’s fighting, MSF sent out press releases, describing how their hospital staff found themselves on the frontline. |
| In addition, MSF also distributed an email to a range of recipients, including Nato, the US military, and the Afghan ministry of defence with the the exact coordinates of their hospital, the group’s country representative, Guilhem Molinie, told the Guardian. | In addition, MSF also distributed an email to a range of recipients, including Nato, the US military, and the Afghan ministry of defence with the the exact coordinates of their hospital, the group’s country representative, Guilhem Molinie, told the Guardian. |
| 9.00am BST09:00 | 9.00am BST09:00 |
| Sune Engel Rasmussen, reporting for the Guardian from Afghanistan, has this update: | Sune Engel Rasmussen, reporting for the Guardian from Afghanistan, has this update: |
| Police spokesman Sarwar Husaini said the area surrounding the MSF facilities was under Taliban control, and that there was heavy fighting going on throughout Friday night. He confirmed that the aircraft, which launched the airstrike around 2am belonged to “the foreigners”. | Police spokesman Sarwar Husaini said the area surrounding the MSF facilities was under Taliban control, and that there was heavy fighting going on throughout Friday night. He confirmed that the aircraft, which launched the airstrike around 2am belonged to “the foreigners”. |
| The US military said they had conducted 12 airstrikes in and around Kunduz since Sept 29th, assisting the Afghan forces in recapturing the city from the Taliban. | The US military said they had conducted 12 airstrikes in and around Kunduz since Sept 29th, assisting the Afghan forces in recapturing the city from the Taliban. |
| “The majority of the airstrikes have taken place on the outskirts of the city and in the vicinity of the airport. This is the second airstrike that has been against individuals threatening the force within Kunduz city,” said Susan Harrington, a spokesperson. | “The majority of the airstrikes have taken place on the outskirts of the city and in the vicinity of the airport. This is the second airstrike that has been against individuals threatening the force within Kunduz city,” said Susan Harrington, a spokesperson. |
| 8.43am BST08:43 | 8.43am BST08:43 |
| Surgery is continuing in the undamaged section of the hospital in Kunduz, MSF said. | Surgery is continuing in the undamaged section of the hospital in Kunduz, MSF said. |
| Since fighting broke out on Monday, MSF had treated 394 wounded in Kunduz. When the aerial attack occurred Saturday morning, there were 105 patients with relatives, as well as over 80 MSF international and national staff present, the group said in its statement. | Since fighting broke out on Monday, MSF had treated 394 wounded in Kunduz. When the aerial attack occurred Saturday morning, there were 105 patients with relatives, as well as over 80 MSF international and national staff present, the group said in its statement. |
| Surgery this morning in undamaged section of #Kunduz hospital #Afghanistan in aftermath of bombing; OTs destroyed pic.twitter.com/IQIzN7SDXi | Surgery this morning in undamaged section of #Kunduz hospital #Afghanistan in aftermath of bombing; OTs destroyed pic.twitter.com/IQIzN7SDXi |
| 8.41am BST08:41 | 8.41am BST08:41 |
| The bombing comes after the Afghan government on Thursday claimed they had regained control of Kunduz, after the Taliban seized the key city in northern Afghanistan on Monday. | The bombing comes after the Afghan government on Thursday claimed they had regained control of Kunduz, after the Taliban seized the key city in northern Afghanistan on Monday. |
| However, fighting has since endured in pockets around the city, and in surrounding districts, with both sides claiming to be in control. | However, fighting has since endured in pockets around the city, and in surrounding districts, with both sides claiming to be in control. |
| #AFG Residents Kundoz,a number of buildings&homes taken by groups of TB with suicide vests.Civilians inside those homes inclu women&children | #AFG Residents Kundoz,a number of buildings&homes taken by groups of TB with suicide vests.Civilians inside those homes inclu women&children |
| The capture of Kunduz marked the first time since 2001 the Taliban breach an urban area. | The capture of Kunduz marked the first time since 2001 the Taliban breach an urban area. |
| 8.33am BST08:33 | 8.33am BST08:33 |
| Dr Bart Janssens, director of operations at MSF, told the Today programme on Radio 4: | Dr Bart Janssens, director of operations at MSF, told the Today programme on Radio 4: |
| We only know that there was a horrific bombing that started around 2am and continued for a long time. We are still debriefing our teams to get more information. The hospital was extremely badly damaged and burned. Three people have died but we are very fearful for the fate of more than 30 people still missing. | We only know that there was a horrific bombing that started around 2am and continued for a long time. We are still debriefing our teams to get more information. The hospital was extremely badly damaged and burned. Three people have died but we are very fearful for the fate of more than 30 people still missing. |
| Our main concern is to get the survivors, alive, out of the very complicated area. It is clear that the hospital has been hit several times by large explosions and we still have no full confirmation on whether it was an aerial or ground attack. | Our main concern is to get the survivors, alive, out of the very complicated area. It is clear that the hospital has been hit several times by large explosions and we still have no full confirmation on whether it was an aerial or ground attack. |
| This hospital was very well known. It was the only functional hospital in Kunduz since the fighting had begun and we have shared extensively the locations of this hospital with all warring parties in Afghanistan. There is no doubt this place was known as a hospital. | This hospital was very well known. It was the only functional hospital in Kunduz since the fighting had begun and we have shared extensively the locations of this hospital with all warring parties in Afghanistan. There is no doubt this place was known as a hospital. |
| 8.22am BST08:22 | 8.22am BST08:22 |
| MSF, which has operated in the Afghan city since fighting broke out between government and Taliban forces, has tweeted the following: | MSF, which has operated in the Afghan city since fighting broke out between government and Taliban forces, has tweeted the following: |
| 1/2: #MSF shocked by bombing of MSF hospital in #Kunduz. Staff, patients killed. http://t.co/5nAAocsEBT | 1/2: #MSF shocked by bombing of MSF hospital in #Kunduz. Staff, patients killed. http://t.co/5nAAocsEBT |
| 2/2: All fighting parties must respect healthcare facilities. #MSF trauma center in Kunduz only facility of its kind in northern Afghanistan | 2/2: All fighting parties must respect healthcare facilities. #MSF trauma center in Kunduz only facility of its kind in northern Afghanistan |
| #MSF #Kunduz trauma center aflame after aerial attack this morn. Staff tending to patients, each other, in aftermath pic.twitter.com/o6toDwivym | #MSF #Kunduz trauma center aflame after aerial attack this morn. Staff tending to patients, each other, in aftermath pic.twitter.com/o6toDwivym |
| 8.20am BST08:20 | 8.20am BST08:20 |
| A spokesman for the US military admitted they might be responsible for the air strike, which killed at least three people at a Médecins Sans Frontières hospital in Afghanistan. | A spokesman for the US military admitted they might be responsible for the air strike, which killed at least three people at a Médecins Sans Frontières hospital in Afghanistan. |
| Colonel Brian Tribus, spokesman for international forces in Afghanistan, said: “US forces conducted an airstrike in Kunduz city at 2:15am (local), 3 October, against individuals threatening the force. | Colonel Brian Tribus, spokesman for international forces in Afghanistan, said: “US forces conducted an airstrike in Kunduz city at 2:15am (local), 3 October, against individuals threatening the force. |
| “The strike may have resulted in collateral damage to a nearby medical facility. This incident is under investigation.” | “The strike may have resulted in collateral damage to a nearby medical facility. This incident is under investigation.” |
| The bombardment apparently followed heavy fighting around the hospital. An MSF staff member, who was on duty at the time, told the Guardian: “I was inside my office. Around 2am, the plane started bombing the main building of MSF. It lasted one-and-a-half hours. After 3.30am, I came out from my office and saw all of the hospital was on fire,” the staff member said. | The bombardment apparently followed heavy fighting around the hospital. An MSF staff member, who was on duty at the time, told the Guardian: “I was inside my office. Around 2am, the plane started bombing the main building of MSF. It lasted one-and-a-half hours. After 3.30am, I came out from my office and saw all of the hospital was on fire,” the staff member said. |
| “We couldn’t save our doctors, our nurses, our cleaners, our friends. They burned inside the hospital. We couldn’t save our brothers and friends,” the staff member said, asking to remain anonymous. | “We couldn’t save our doctors, our nurses, our cleaners, our friends. They burned inside the hospital. We couldn’t save our brothers and friends,” the staff member said, asking to remain anonymous. |
| 8.08am BST08:08 | 8.08am BST08:08 |
| Good morning. News is breaking that a US airstrike appears to have hit a hospital run by Médecins Sans Frontières in the Afghan city of Kunduz. | Good morning. News is breaking that a US airstrike appears to have hit a hospital run by Médecins Sans Frontières in the Afghan city of Kunduz. |
| The charity said its hospital in the war-torn northern city was bombed and badly damaged by an aerial attack that killed at least three staff members. | The charity said its hospital in the war-torn northern city was bombed and badly damaged by an aerial attack that killed at least three staff members. |
| At the time of the bombing, 105 patients and their carers, and more than 80 MSF international and national staff were in the hospital, the charity said. | At the time of the bombing, 105 patients and their carers, and more than 80 MSF international and national staff were in the hospital, the charity said. |
| Thirty staff were still unaccounted for and officials have said the death toll could climb. We will keep you up to date with all the latest developments here throughout the day. | Thirty staff were still unaccounted for and officials have said the death toll could climb. We will keep you up to date with all the latest developments here throughout the day. |
| Updated at 8.17am BST | Updated at 8.17am BST |