MSF reports Casualties from Kunduz Attack risen to 42

December 12th, 2015

Awake Goy

nsnbc : Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reports on its website that the number of fatalities after the US air raid against an MSF operated hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan, has risen to 42. MSF issued the update as the UNAMA reported that two weeks of clashes in an around Kunduz have caused 848 civilian Afghan casualties and that the UNAMA supports MSF’s demand for an independent investigation into the bombing of the hospital.

Photo courtesy of MSF.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reports that the death toll from the US air raid of the MSF operated hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan, has risen to 42. Results of an internal review an investigation by MSF show that the victims are 14 staff, 24 patients, and 4 civilians who nursed patients at the hospital. An earlier report and internal review of the attack said that there were 30 dead and 27 injured.

On October 3, 2015 the US Air Force targeted the MSF trauma hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan. The air raid came after clashes between Taliban units, Afghan military and ISAF/NATO forces in and around Kunduz in September.

The UNAMA reported that the two weeks of fighting in September has caused at least 848 civilian casualties and displaced some 13,000 families. The UNAMA released a report, stating that the number of registered casualties is likely to rise because its staff is unable to safely conduct surveys in the region. The UN agency unequivocally supports MSF’s demand for an independent investigation into the bombing of the trauma hospital.

MSF insists that it has provided the exact coordinated of the hospital to all belligerent parties in the area, as it does everywhere, and that it has a strict “no weapons” policy at hospitals that it operates. The UNAMA stated in its report that the bombing of the hospital could amount to a war crime if it can be proven that the bombing of the hospital was a deliberate act. MSF for its part, also stressed that the attack on the trauma hospital continued for some 30 minutes after MSF had contacted and informed the US and Afghan military about the attack. The attack destroyed the hospital to such a degree that it is no longer operational.

CH/L – nsnbc 12.12.2015