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Many die in Afghan tanker blasts Many die in Afghan tanker blasts
(about 1 hour later)
At least 90 people have been killed after a Nato air strike blew up two fuel tankers hijacked by the Taliban in northern Afghanistan, officials say.At least 90 people have been killed after a Nato air strike blew up two fuel tankers hijacked by the Taliban in northern Afghanistan, officials say.
A Nato spokesman confirmed to the BBC that the incident happened in Kunduz province.A Nato spokesman confirmed to the BBC that the incident happened in Kunduz province.
The spokesman said it was investigating reports of civilian deaths.The spokesman said it was investigating reports of civilian deaths.
The governor of Kunduz told the BBC that senior Taliban commanders were killed in the huge blast. Witnesses said villagers also died.The governor of Kunduz told the BBC that senior Taliban commanders were killed in the huge blast. Witnesses said villagers also died.
A Taliban spokesman confirmed to the BBC that its fighters had stolen two Nato fuel tankers on Thursday night, which then got stuck, although he did not say how.A Taliban spokesman confirmed to the BBC that its fighters had stolen two Nato fuel tankers on Thursday night, which then got stuck, although he did not say how.
The Taliban decided to empty the tankers and local people arrived to take some of the fuel, he said.The Taliban decided to empty the tankers and local people arrived to take some of the fuel, he said.
At this point, a Nato air strike hit the tankers causing a huge explosion.At this point, a Nato air strike hit the tankers causing a huge explosion.
ANALYSIS Chris Morris, BBC News, AfghanistanANALYSIS Chris Morris, BBC News, Afghanistan
If it emerges that a number of civilians have been killed then that will obviously be very disappointing to Nato.If it emerges that a number of civilians have been killed then that will obviously be very disappointing to Nato.
The issue of civilian casualties caused by international military action is extremely sensitive here. It has caused great anger.The issue of civilian casualties caused by international military action is extremely sensitive here. It has caused great anger.
It is something military commanders have said they are determined to clamp down on, because they say if they win territory and not the people then they are not doing their job.It is something military commanders have said they are determined to clamp down on, because they say if they win territory and not the people then they are not doing their job.
The tankers are reported to have been bombed about 7km (four miles) south-west of Kunduz city.The tankers are reported to have been bombed about 7km (four miles) south-west of Kunduz city.
International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) spokeswoman Lt Cdr Christine Sidenstricker said Afghan forces had reported the fuel trucks hijacked and Nato aircraft had spotted them on a river bank.International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) spokeswoman Lt Cdr Christine Sidenstricker said Afghan forces had reported the fuel trucks hijacked and Nato aircraft had spotted them on a river bank.
"After observing that only insurgents were in the area, the local Isaf commander ordered air strikes which destroyed the fuel trucks and killed a large number of insurgents," she said."After observing that only insurgents were in the area, the local Isaf commander ordered air strikes which destroyed the fuel trucks and killed a large number of insurgents," she said.
"The strike was against insurgents. That is who we believe was killed.""The strike was against insurgents. That is who we believe was killed."
But, she added, reports of civilian deaths were being investigated.But, she added, reports of civilian deaths were being investigated.
One of the drivers of the tankers told the BBC that two of his colleagues had been beheaded when the Taliban carried out the hijacking.One of the drivers of the tankers told the BBC that two of his colleagues had been beheaded when the Taliban carried out the hijacking.
Kunduz province Governor Mohammad Omar said most of the dead were Taliban fighters - some of whom were Chechens - although other sources say many villagers had been killed while collecting fuel from the tankers.Kunduz province Governor Mohammad Omar said most of the dead were Taliban fighters - some of whom were Chechens - although other sources say many villagers had been killed while collecting fuel from the tankers.
RECENT MAJOR ATTACKS 2 Sep: Blast in Laghman province kills Afghan deputy chief of intelligence and 21 others25 Aug: Car bomb in southern city of Kandahar kills at least 4018 Aug: Nine Afghans and a Nato soldier die and more than 50 are injured in Kabul15 Aug: Bomb outside Nato HQ in Kabul kills seven and injures 9013 Aug: Twin blasts in Helmand and Kandahar kill 14, including several children6 Aug: Five American and three UK soldiers, five civilians and five policemen killed by roadside bombs mainly in Helmand3 Aug: Bomb in Herat city kills 12 Limited time for Afghan success Taliban infiltrate Afghan north
Seriously burned people are crowding a hospital in Kunduz, AFP reported.Seriously burned people are crowding a hospital in Kunduz, AFP reported.
Rush for fuel
Witness Mohammad Daud, 32, told AFP the militants had been trying to transport the tankers across a river to villages in Angorbagh.Witness Mohammad Daud, 32, told AFP the militants had been trying to transport the tankers across a river to villages in Angorbagh.
"They managed to take one of the tankers over the river. The second got stuck so they told villagers to come and take the diesel," he said."They managed to take one of the tankers over the river. The second got stuck so they told villagers to come and take the diesel," he said.
"Villagers rushed to the fuel tanker with any available container that they had, including water buckets and pots for cooking oil."Villagers rushed to the fuel tanker with any available container that they had, including water buckets and pots for cooking oil.
"There were 10 to 15 Taliban on top of the tanker. This was when they were bombed. Everyone around the fuel tanker died.""There were 10 to 15 Taliban on top of the tanker. This was when they were bombed. Everyone around the fuel tanker died."
The Kunduz area is patrolled mainly by Nato's German contingent, which is barred by Berlin from operating in combat zones.The Kunduz area is patrolled mainly by Nato's German contingent, which is barred by Berlin from operating in combat zones.
Germany has more than 4,000 troops in Afghanistan.Germany has more than 4,000 troops in Afghanistan.
The incident came days after the top US general in Afghanistan reiterated calls for a fresh approach to the conflict.The incident came days after the top US general in Afghanistan reiterated calls for a fresh approach to the conflict.
"The situation in Afghanistan is serious, but success is achievable and demands a revised implementation strategy, commitment and resolve, and increased unity of effort," Gen Stanley McChrystal wrote in a strategic assessment."The situation in Afghanistan is serious, but success is achievable and demands a revised implementation strategy, commitment and resolve, and increased unity of effort," Gen Stanley McChrystal wrote in a strategic assessment.


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