<p>A suspected US air strike on a hospital killed 19 people today in the Afghan city of Kunduz, medical charity MSF said, a bombardment that the UN condemned as "inexcusable, and possibly even criminal".<br /><br /></p>.<p>Dozens more were seriously wounded at the facility, a key lifeline that has been running "beyond capacity" during fighting that saw the Taliban seize control of the northern provincial capital for several days.<br /><br />The strike early today left the building engulfed in flames, with photos posted by Doctors Without Borders showing their staff shocked and dazed.<br /><br />"At 2:10 am local time... the MSF trauma centre in Kunduz was hit several times during sustained bombing and was very badly damaged," the organisation, known by its French initials, said.<br /><br />"Twelve staff members and at least seven patients, including three children, were killed; 37 people were injured. This attack constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law."<br /><br />The charity said the bombing continued for more than 30 minutes after American and Afghan military officials were first alerted they were being hit.<br /><br />"All parties to the conflict, including in Kabul and Washington, were clearly informed of the precise location (GPS coordinates) of the MSF facilities," the statement added.<br /><br />NATO conceded US forces may have been behind the strike but has not so far commented on the specific claims of MSF, which has long treated the war-wounded from all sides of the conflict.<br /><br />"The strike may have resulted in collateral damage to a nearby medical facility. This incident is under investigation."<br /><br />The incident has renewed concerns about the use of US air strikes in Afghanistan, a deeply contentious issue in the 14-year campaign against Taliban insurgents.<br /><br />UN rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein called for a full and transparent probe, noting that, "if established as deliberate in a court of law, an air strike on a hospital may amount to a war crime."<br /><br />"This event is utterly tragic, inexcusable and possibly even criminal," he said.<br /><br />US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said a "full investigation" is being carried out.<br /><br />The bombing came after Taliban insurgents overran the northern Afghan city on Monday. It was the first major city to be captured by militants since 2001.<br /><br />The Afghan defence ministry expressed sadness but in a statement said "a group of terrorists armed with light and heavy weapon... were using the hospital building as a position to target Afghan forces and civilians". <br /></p>
<p>A suspected US air strike on a hospital killed 19 people today in the Afghan city of Kunduz, medical charity MSF said, a bombardment that the UN condemned as "inexcusable, and possibly even criminal".<br /><br /></p>.<p>Dozens more were seriously wounded at the facility, a key lifeline that has been running "beyond capacity" during fighting that saw the Taliban seize control of the northern provincial capital for several days.<br /><br />The strike early today left the building engulfed in flames, with photos posted by Doctors Without Borders showing their staff shocked and dazed.<br /><br />"At 2:10 am local time... the MSF trauma centre in Kunduz was hit several times during sustained bombing and was very badly damaged," the organisation, known by its French initials, said.<br /><br />"Twelve staff members and at least seven patients, including three children, were killed; 37 people were injured. This attack constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law."<br /><br />The charity said the bombing continued for more than 30 minutes after American and Afghan military officials were first alerted they were being hit.<br /><br />"All parties to the conflict, including in Kabul and Washington, were clearly informed of the precise location (GPS coordinates) of the MSF facilities," the statement added.<br /><br />NATO conceded US forces may have been behind the strike but has not so far commented on the specific claims of MSF, which has long treated the war-wounded from all sides of the conflict.<br /><br />"The strike may have resulted in collateral damage to a nearby medical facility. This incident is under investigation."<br /><br />The incident has renewed concerns about the use of US air strikes in Afghanistan, a deeply contentious issue in the 14-year campaign against Taliban insurgents.<br /><br />UN rights chief Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein called for a full and transparent probe, noting that, "if established as deliberate in a court of law, an air strike on a hospital may amount to a war crime."<br /><br />"This event is utterly tragic, inexcusable and possibly even criminal," he said.<br /><br />US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said a "full investigation" is being carried out.<br /><br />The bombing came after Taliban insurgents overran the northern Afghan city on Monday. It was the first major city to be captured by militants since 2001.<br /><br />The Afghan defence ministry expressed sadness but in a statement said "a group of terrorists armed with light and heavy weapon... were using the hospital building as a position to target Afghan forces and civilians". <br /></p>