Spotlight: Int'l community condemns deadly air raid on Afghan hospital, investigation under way to ensure accountability

A suspected U.S airstrike on a charity hospital in north Afghanistan killed at least 19 people Saturday, an attack U.S. President Barack Obama described as a "tragic incident" and the UN condemned as "inexcusable."

At early hours of Saturday, the air raid reportedly launched by U.S. forces in Afghanistan struck the Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) or MSF hospital in Kunduz city, capital of northern Kunduz province, killing at least 19 people and injuring 37 others.

"Twelve staff members and at least seven patients, including three children, were killed; 37 people were injured including 19 staff members. This attack constitutes a grave violation of the International Humanitarian Law," the aid group said in a statement.

"There are many patients and staff who remain unaccounted for. The numbers (of casualties) may grow," the statement said.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday strongly condemned the airstrike.

"The secretary-general recalls that hospitals and medical personnel are explicitly protected under international humanitarian law," said a statement issued by Ban's spokesman. "He calls for a thorough and impartial investigation into the attack in order to ensure accountability."

"Medecins Sans Frontieres have been operating the only hospital in Kunduz under extremely trying conditions," the UN statement said. "The secretary-general commends the courageous and dedicated staff of the organization and extends his deepest sympathies to the families of those killed and injured in this attack."

In Kabul, Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on Saturday expressed deep sorrow over the killing and wounding of civilians and medical staffs in the incident.

"The commander of the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission, General John Campbell in a telephone call to President Ghani, provided explanations about the incident and offered condolences to those affected. Both the President and General Campbell agreed to launch a joint and thorough investigation," said a statement issued by presidential palace.

Meanwhile, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein called for a full and transparent probe, saying that "an airstrike on a hospital may amount to a war crime."

"This event is utterly tragic, inexcusable and possibly even criminal," he said.

The aid group said all indications suggested their Kunduz hospital was bombed by U.S.-NATO forces. In a statement, the group demanded a "full and transparent account" of coalition aerial bombardments over Kunduz.

According to the MSF, the bombing continued for more than 30 minutes after American and Afghan military officials were first alerted they were being hit.

The MSF "condemned in the strongest possible terms the horrific bombing of its hospital in Kunduz, which was full of staff and patients. The MSF wishes to clarify that all parties to the conflict, including in Kabul and Washington, were clearly informed of the precise location (GPS Coordinates) of the MSF facilities in Kunduz, including the hospital, guesthouse, office and an outreach stabilization unit in Chardara northwest of Kunduz," the statement added.

Meanwhile, the U.S. forces in Afghanistan which support Afghan forces, pledged on Saturday to investigate whether its forces were involved in striking MSF-run hospital.

"U.S. forces conducted an airstrike in Kunduz city at 2:15 a.m. local time, Oct. 3, against individuals threatening the force. The strike may have resulted in collateral damage to a nearby medical facility," a statement of U.S. force in Afghanistan said.

"This incident is under investigation," it added.

Obama on Saturday offered his "deepest condolences" for the "tragic incident," and promised a thorough probe of the airstrike.

"On behalf of the American people, I extend my deepest condolences to the medical professionals and other civilians killed and injured in the tragic incident at a Doctors Without Borders hospital in Kunduz," he said in a statement released by the White House.

"The Department of Defense has launched a full investigation, and we will await the results of that inquiry before making a definitive judgment as to the circumstances of this tragedy," Obama said.

The MSF said the aerial raid hit the main hospital building housing the intensive care unit and emergency rooms, while the surrounding buildings were left untouched.

"I have asked the Department of Defense to keep me apprised of the investigation and expect a full accounting of the facts and circumstances," Obama said. Endi