President Barack Obama said the United States has launched a “full investigation” into air strikes that killed 19 people at an MSF-run Afghan hospital on Saturday.
The U.S military said a strike targeting Taliban in the northern city of Kunduz may have caused “collateral damage.”
Offering his “deepest condolences,” Mr. Obama said he expected a “full accounting of the facts” and would then make a definitive judgment.
According to the BBC, At least 12 MSF staff members and seven patients were killed in the incident.
The United Nations called the strikes “inexcusable and possibly even criminal,” with Secretary General Ban Ki-moon calling for a thorough and impartial investigation.
“International and Afghan military planners have an obligation to respect and protect civilians at all times, and medical facilities and personnel are the object of a special protection,” said UN High Commissioner, Ra’ad Al Hussein Zeid.
The hospital, run by the medical charity MSF, was severely damaged by a series of strikes lasting more than an hour from 02:00 local time on Saturday. Dozens were also injured in the attack.
MSF president Meinie Nicolai described the incident as “abhorrent and a grave violation of international humanitarian law.”
“All indications currently point to the bombing being carried out by international Coalition forces,” MSF said.
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