19 Dead in Bombing on Doctors Without Borders Hospital in Afghanistan

At least 19 people are dead and 37 more were injured in a bombing at the Doctors Without Borders hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan.

The hospital was the target of aerial bombing between 2:08 a.m. and 3:15 a.m. local time Sunday morning, according to a statement from Doctors Without Borders.

The bombing occurred at approximately 15 minute intervals. The main central hospital building, which houses the intensive care unit, emergency rooms, and physiotherapy was, repeatedly hit.

At least seven patients, including three children, and 12 staff members were killed in the incident, and 37 people, including 19 staff members were injured.

“The bombs hit and then we heard the plane circle round,” said Heman Nagarathnam, head of programs in northern Afghanistan. “There was a pause, and then more bombs hit. This happened again and again. When I made it out from the office, the main hospital building was engulfed in flames. Those people that could, had moved quickly to the building’s two bunkers to seek safety, but patients who were unable to escape burned to death as they lay in their beds.”

Doctors Without Borders is demanding an independent investigation of the attack to ensure transparency and accountability.

“This attack is abhorrent and a grave violation of International Human Law,” said Meinie Nicolai, President of Doctors Without Borders. “We demand total transparency from Coalition forces. We cannot accept that this horrific loss of life will simply be dismissed as collateral damage.”

The hospital had treated 394 wounded since fighting broke out on Monday. At the time of the attack there were 105 patients and their caretakers in the hospital, as well as more than 80 international and national staff.