U.S. Military: Airstrike 'May Have' Accidentally Hit Doctors Without Borders Hospital in Afghanistan

The U.S. military said early Saturday morning that an airstrike in Kuduz, Afghanistan, may have accidentally damaged a Doctors Without Borders hospital in the city.

"U.S. forces conducted an airstrike in Kunduz city at 2:15am (local), Oct. 3, against individuals threatening the force. The strike may have resulted in collateral damage to a nearby medical facility," U.S. Army Colonel Brian Tribus, a spokesman for U.S. Forces in Afghanistan, said in a statement forwarded to TheBlaze. "This incident is under investigation."

The hospital said that three staff members were confirmed dead and 30 were still unaccounted for. It said the trauma center endured "sustained bombing and was very badly damaged."

Photos posted by Doctors Without Borders showed the hospital engulfed in flames.

“We are deeply shocked by the attack, the killing of our staff and patients and the heavy toll it has inflicted on healthcare in Kunduz,” said Bart Janssens, the hospital's director of operations. “We do not yet have the final casualty figures, but our medical team are providing first aid and treating the injured patients and MSF personnel and accounting for the deceased. We urge all parties to respect the safety of health facilities and staff.”

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