Over 30 people killed, scores injured in Afghan hospital attack

[News_Editor]

Over 30 people killed, scores injured in Afghan hospital attack

2011-06-25 23:49:37 GMT+7 (ICT)

KABUL (BNO NEWS) -- More than 30 people were killed and dozens other were wounded on Saturday in a suicide attack targeting a hospital in the central Afghan province of Logar, Pajhwok Afghan News reported.

According to officials, the attack occurred around 11:20 am local time when a car loaded with explosives was driven into the Azrah district's central hospital, wounding almost 100 civilians. Abdul Wali, the provincial council chief, said the victims were hospital employees, guards, and patients.

Din Mohammad Darwesh, the governor's spokesman, estimated that 45 people had been either killed or injured in the blast. 

The Taliban denied responsibility for the attack. Police are currently investigating the incident.

The attack drew international condemnation. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul condemned the attack in Logar, and another one in the northern province of Kunduz that killed 10 civilians and wounded at least 24 more when a bicycle loaded with explosives was detonated at a bazaar.

The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force also condemned both attacks. "The insurgents have a complete disregard for the innocent people of Afghanistan who are trying to live in peace," said Rear Admiral Vic Beck, ISAF Director of Public Affairs. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those killed and wounded, and we will not falter in our efforts to work with our Afghan partners to find those responsible and bring them to justice."

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) stressed that attacks on hospitals are strictly prohibited under international humanitarian law.

"This is a despicable attack against civilians who were seeking medical care, as well as visiting family members and health workers," said Staffan de Mistura, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan. "Much of the damage was in the maternity ward of the hospital, and many of those killed and injured were women and children."

Last month, six medical students were killed and more than 20 others were injured after a suicide attack on a 400-bed military hospital in the heart of Kabul. The Taliban claimed responsibility for that attack, although NATO said the Haqqani Network was behind the suicide bombing.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-06-25