US, Afghanistan Launch Investigation Into Kunduz MSF Hospital Bombing

Washington and Kabul launched a joint investigation into a bombing of a hospital in Afghanistan's Kunduz, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said in a statement Saturday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Earlier on Saturday, the Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres, or MSF) hospital in the Afghan city of Kunduz accommodating some 200 people was bombed leaving dozens missing.

“A full investigation into the tragic incident is underway in coordination with the Afghan government,” Carter said.

According to Carter, the area of the bombing has been a scene of intense fighting in the last few days with US forces in support of Afghan Security Forces operating nearby against the Taliban militants.

From 2:08 until 3:15 AM local time today, our hospital was hit by a series of aerial bombing raids at approx 15 minute intervals #Kunduz

— MSF International (@MSF) 3 октября 2015

At least 12 staff members and 7 patients were killed in the bombing, 37 people were injured including 19 staff members, according to the latest MSF data.

According to the MSF, the hospital was hit by a series of aerial bombing raids from 02:08 am until 03:15 am local time on Saturday (after 22:00 GMT Friday).

NATO said in a statement that US forces conducted an airstrike in Kunduz at around the same time — just after 02:00 am local time on Saturday.

The Kunduz attack constitutes a grave violation of International Humanitarian Law.We demand a full & transparent account from the Coalition

— MSF International (@MSF) 3 октября 2015