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Afghan hospital attack: MSF condemns air strikes in Kunduz Afghan hospital attack: MSF condemns Kunduz air strikes
(35 minutes later)
The medical charity MSF has condemned "in the strongest possible terms" deadly air strikes on its hospital in the Afghan city of Kunduz.The medical charity MSF has condemned "in the strongest possible terms" deadly air strikes on its hospital in the Afghan city of Kunduz.
Medecins Sans Frontieres said the number of its staff killed had risen from three to nine. Medecins Sans Frontieres said at least nine of its staff were killed in the attack. Many are unaccounted for.
It said the strikes continued for more than 30 minutes after US and Afghan authorities were told of its location.It said the strikes continued for more than 30 minutes after US and Afghan authorities were told of its location.
US forces were carrying out air strikes at the time. The Nato alliance has admitted the clinic may have been hit.US forces were carrying out air strikes at the time. The Nato alliance has admitted the clinic may have been hit.
At least 37 people were seriously injured, 19 of them MSF staff. At least 100 patients were in the hospital. At least 37 people were seriously injured, 19 of them MSF staff.
Many patients and staff remain unaccounted for, MSF says. More than 100 patients were in the hospital, along with relatives and carers; it is not known how many of them were killed.
The organisation says that all parties to the conflict, including Kabul and Washington, had been told the precise GPS co-ordinates of the hospital in Kunduz on many occasions, including on 29 September. MSF says that all parties to the conflict, including Kabul and Washington, had been told the precise GPS co-ordinates of the hospital in Kunduz on many occasions, including on 29 September.
After staff at the hospital became aware of the aerial bombardment in the early hours of Saturday morning, US and Afghan military officials were again informed, MSF said.After staff at the hospital became aware of the aerial bombardment in the early hours of Saturday morning, US and Afghan military officials were again informed, MSF said.
A spokesman for US forces in Afghanistan, Col Brian Tribus, said: "US forces conducted an air strike in Kunduz city at 02:15 (local time)... against individuals threatening the force.A spokesman for US forces in Afghanistan, Col Brian Tribus, said: "US forces conducted an air strike in Kunduz city at 02:15 (local time)... against individuals threatening the force.
"The strike may have resulted in collateral damage to a nearby medical facility.""The strike may have resulted in collateral damage to a nearby medical facility."
The incident is being investigated, he added.The incident is being investigated, he added.
The International Committee of the Red Cross strongly condemned the bombing. The Afghan interior ministry said a group of 10 to 15 militants were found hiding in the hospital. The Taliban denied that any of its fighters were there.
"Such attacks against health workers and facilities undermine the capacity of humanitarian organisations to assist the Afghan people at a time when they most urgently need it," said Jean-Nicolas Marti, head of the organisation's delegation in Afghanistan. "They are killed, all of the terrorists were killed, but we also lost doctors," ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqi said.
Nicholas Haysom, head of the United Nations mission in Afghanistan, said "hospitals accommodating patients and medical personnel may never be the object of attack" and commended the work of MSF.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) also strongly condemned the bombing.
"Such attacks against health workers and facilities undermine the capacity of humanitarian organisations to assist the Afghan people at a time when they most urgently need it," said Jean-Nicolas Marti, head of the ICRC delegation in Afghanistan.
There has been intense fighting in Kunduz since Taliban fighters swept into the northern city on Monday.There has been intense fighting in Kunduz since Taliban fighters swept into the northern city on Monday.
Afghan officials said the government had regained control of Kunduz on Friday, but the Taliban denied the city had been retaken.Afghan officials said the government had regained control of Kunduz on Friday, but the Taliban denied the city had been retaken.
Eyewitnesses said they saw Taliban fighters on the streets or hiding in civilian houses. US air power has been supporting Afghan government forces' efforts to regain the city.
Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour had described the seizure of Kunduz as a "symbolic victory". Read more on the battle for Kunduz:
Kunduz, with a population of around 300,000, is one of Afghanistan's largest cities and strategically important both as a transport hub and a bread-basket for the region.Kunduz, with a population of around 300,000, is one of Afghanistan's largest cities and strategically important both as a transport hub and a bread-basket for the region.
The US-led Nato combat mission in Afghanistan ended in December 2014, but Nato forces remain for training purposes.The US-led Nato combat mission in Afghanistan ended in December 2014, but Nato forces remain for training purposes.
Nato's Resolute Support Mission, which was launched in January 2015, consists of more than 13,000 troops from 42 countries. The US contributes around half of these.Nato's Resolute Support Mission, which was launched in January 2015, consists of more than 13,000 troops from 42 countries. The US contributes around half of these.