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US airstrikes kill 3 MSF staff in Kunduz

ISLAMABAD, Oct 3 (KUNA) -- At least three people were killed and several others wounded in a pre-dawn United States airstrike on a Medecins Sans Frontieres' (MSF) hospital in Kunduz city of northern Afghanistan, said officials on Saturday.
A statement from MSF confirmed the airstrike, saying the hospital came under several air attacks that inflicted heavy casualties on staff members and people under treatment.
Three MSF staffs are confirmed dead and more than 30 are unaccounted for.
At the time of the bombing, 105 patients and their caregivers and more than 80 international and local MSF staff were in the hospital, said the statement.
Director operations MSF, Bart Janssens said, "We are deeply shocked by the attack, killing of our staff and patients and the heavy toll it has inflicted on healthcare in Kunduz." Janssens urged all parties to respect the safety of health facilities and staff.
Afghan Public Health Director, Dr. Saad Mukhtar told media that the hospital building was destroyed and several Afghan and foreign health workers, civilians and security personnel under treatment were killed in the bombardment.
US military spokesman, Colonel Brian Tribus said, "US forces conducted the airstrike at 2:15 a.m. against individuals threatening the force. The strike may have resulted in collateral damage to a nearby medical facility. This incident is under investigation." According to local media, Taliban rebels claimed that no insurgent was under treatment in the hospital.
The national and international staff of the humanitarian organization, that started its operations in Afghanistan in 1980, work together to provide healthcare in Kunduz.
Kunduz witnessed fierce fighting between Taliban rebels and security forces even after the Afghan government announced to gain control of the provincial capital. The fighting spreads in neighboring Badakhshan, Takhar and Baghlan provinces as Taliban carried out coordinated attacks. (end) sbk.gta