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Yemen's rebel funeral hall attack 'kills scores' | Yemen's rebel funeral hall attack 'kills scores' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
More than 140 people have been killed and over 500 injured in air strikes on a funeral gathering in Yemen's capital Sanaa, a senior UN official says. | |
Jamie McGoldrick, the UN humanitarian co-ordinator for Yemen, condemned "the horrific attack". | Jamie McGoldrick, the UN humanitarian co-ordinator for Yemen, condemned "the horrific attack". |
The rebel Houthi-run government said the strikes were carried out by the Saudi-led coalition backing the internationally-recognised government of Yemen. | The rebel Houthi-run government said the strikes were carried out by the Saudi-led coalition backing the internationally-recognised government of Yemen. |
The coalition has denied the claim. | The coalition has denied the claim. |
Thousands of civilians have been killed since the war began in 2014. | Thousands of civilians have been killed since the war began in 2014. |
Mr McGoldrick said aid workers who arrived at the scene had been "shocked and outraged" by Saturday's air strikes. | Mr McGoldrick said aid workers who arrived at the scene had been "shocked and outraged" by Saturday's air strikes. |
He also called for an immediate investigation. | He also called for an immediate investigation. |
The attack targeted the funeral of the father of Houthi-appointed Interior Minister Galal al-Rawishan, an ally of the rebels and of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh. | The attack targeted the funeral of the father of Houthi-appointed Interior Minister Galal al-Rawishan, an ally of the rebels and of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh. |
One rescuer, Murad Tawfiq, described the scene as a "lake of blood", the Associated Press news agency reports. | One rescuer, Murad Tawfiq, described the scene as a "lake of blood", the Associated Press news agency reports. |
Graphic photos circulating on social media show charred and mutilated bodies. | Graphic photos circulating on social media show charred and mutilated bodies. |
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it had prepared 300 body bags. | The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said it had prepared 300 body bags. |
The ICRC's Rima Kamal told the BBC "several air strikes" had hit the venue where hundreds of civilians had been present. | The ICRC's Rima Kamal told the BBC "several air strikes" had hit the venue where hundreds of civilians had been present. |
The damage to the buildings was extensive. | The damage to the buildings was extensive. |
A number of Houthi rebel military and security officials are believed to have been killed in the strike. | A number of Houthi rebel military and security officials are believed to have been killed in the strike. |
BBC correspondents say their presence could explain why the funeral was targeted, though it is likely many civilians were also there. | BBC correspondents say their presence could explain why the funeral was targeted, though it is likely many civilians were also there. |
The Saudi-led coalition denied carrying out the strikes, suggesting "other causes". | The Saudi-led coalition denied carrying out the strikes, suggesting "other causes". |
The government of President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi is fighting both the Houthis and forces loyal to Mr Saleh. | The government of President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi is fighting both the Houthis and forces loyal to Mr Saleh. |
Thousand of civilians have been killed since the Saudi-led air campaign started last March, the UN's rights body says. | Thousand of civilians have been killed since the Saudi-led air campaign started last March, the UN's rights body says. |
Nearly three million people have been displaced in Yemen, one of the region's poorest countries, since the war began in 2014. | Nearly three million people have been displaced in Yemen, one of the region's poorest countries, since the war began in 2014. |
The Houthis took the capital then, forcing Mr Hadi's government to flee. Some ministers have since returned to the city of Aden. | The Houthis took the capital then, forcing Mr Hadi's government to flee. Some ministers have since returned to the city of Aden. |