Tweet
Air strikes on a hospital in the Afghan city of Kunduz that killed 19 people were "tragic, inexcusable and possibly even criminal", the UN human rights chief says.
High Commissioner Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein urged a full and transparent investigation into the attack.
Medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres said at least 12 of its staff and seven patients were killed.
US forces were carrying out air strikes at the time.
At least 37 people were seriously injured, 19 of them MSF staff.
"All indications currently point to the bombing being carried out by international Coalition forces," MSF said.
The Nato alliance has admitted its forces may have hit the hospital.
Image copyright AP Image caption Fire swept through the hospital after the air strikes Image copyright AP Image caption The scale of the destruction was clear at first light High Commissioner Zeid said: "International and Afghan military planners have an obligation to respect and protect civilians at all times, and medical facilities and personnel are the object of a special protection.
"These obligations apply no matter whose air force is involved, and irrespective of the location."
Read more on the battle for Kunduz:
MSF said that all parties to the conflict, including Kabul and Washington, had been told the precise GPS co-ordinates of the hospital on many occasions, including on 29 September.
In a statement, the charity said all indications pointed to the bombing being carried out by international coalition forces.
It reported that from 02:08 until 03:15 local time, the hospital was hit by a series of aerial bombing raids at approximately 15-minute intervals.
The main central hospital building - housing the intensive care unit, emergency rooms, and physiotherapy ward - was repeatedly hit during each aerial raid while surrounding buildings were left mostly untouched, it added.
"The bombs hit and then we heard the plane circle round," said Heman Nagarathnam, MSF head of programmes 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."
Image copyright MSF Image caption These MSF staff appear to be in shock following the attack (MSF photo) MSF president Meinie Nicolai described the incident as "abhorrent and a grave violation of international humanitarian law".
She added: "We demand total transparency from coalition forces. We cannot accept that this horrific loss of life will simply be dismissed as 'collateral damage'."
A spokesman for US forces in Afghanistan, Col Brian Tribus, said: "US forces conducted an air strike in Kunduz city at 02:15 (local time)... against individuals threatening the force.
Image copyright MSF Image caption MSF says surgery took place in the undamaged parts of the hospital following the attack "The strike may have resulted in collateral damage to a nearby medical facility."
In a statement, US Defence Secretary Ash Carter said: "While we are still trying to determine exactly what happened, I want to extend my thoughts and prayers to everyone affected.
"A full investigation into the tragic incident is under way in co-ordination with the Afghan government."
Gen John Campbell, the commander of US forces in Afghanistan, later confirmed the air strike was "in the vicinity" of the MSF facility but was targeting "insurgents who were directly firing upon US service members".
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said the US-led Nato force had offered condolences over the incident.
Taliban denial
The Afghan interior ministry said a group of 10 to 15 militants were hiding in the hospital.
"They are killed, all of the terrorists were killed, but we also lost doctors," ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqi said.
The Taliban denied that any of its fighters were there.
A Taliban statement described the air strikes which hit the hospital as "deliberate", and carried out by "the barbaric American forces".
MSF says that staff and patients critically injured in the attack on the hospital have been transferred to a hospital in Pul-e Khumri, two hours' drive away.
There has been intense fighting in Kunduz since Taliban fighters swept into the northern city on Monday.
Share this story About sharing
Taliban conflict
Background
Asia
Japanese man shot dead in Bangladesh
Full article Japanese man shot dead in Bangladesh
Australia murder 'linked to terrorism'
Full article Australia murder 'linked to terrorism'
Sport Japan beat Samoa to boost hopes
Full article Japan beat Samoa to boost hopes
More Videos from the BBC
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-0 ob-o"> Polar ocean 'teeming with nightlife' <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-1 ob-o">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-1 ob-o"> Peace march held over teen deaths in Brockley <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-2 ob-o">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-3 ob-o"> Virgin Atlantic plane strikes barrier at JFK Airport <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-4 ob-o">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-4 ob-o"> A million stray dogs 'victims of Greek debt crisis' <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-5 ob-o">
Recommended by Outbrain
Elsewhere on BBC
Recommended by Outbrain
Top Stories
UN denounces Afghan hospital bombing Air strikes on a hospital in the Afghan city of Kunduz that killed 19 people were "tragic, inexcusable and possibly even criminal", the UN says.
13 minutes ago
'Labour giant' Denis Healey dies at 98 34 minutes ago
Hunt for ship missing after hurricane 4 hours ago
Advertisement .
Features & Analysis
Liquid renewal
Can a bowl of soup help transform British cities?
Video 3:58
Bad practice
The patients subjected to intimate examinations - without consent
Why I gave up my baby
Made to feel ashamed for being a single mother
Diesel in spotlight
Putting your car emissions to the test
Crowdfunding news
Can Spanish website crack online challenge?
Unruly behaviour
Can a president whip his people into shape?
10 Things
Which Hollywood director still watches films on VHS tapes?
One week on
Aleem Maqbool tweets on Hajj stampede repercussions
Scrums, rucks & line-outs
What are the basics of rugby union?
Subscribe today 6 can't miss stories in your inbox every Friday
Most Popular popular
Most read
Advertisement
From Around the Web
Promoted content by Outbrain
Ads by Google
High Commissioner Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein urged a full and transparent investigation into the attack.
Medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres said at least 12 of its staff and seven patients were killed.
US forces were carrying out air strikes at the time.
At least 37 people were seriously injured, 19 of them MSF staff.
"All indications currently point to the bombing being carried out by international Coalition forces," MSF said.
The Nato alliance has admitted its forces may have hit the hospital.
Image copyright AP Image caption Fire swept through the hospital after the air strikes Image copyright AP Image caption The scale of the destruction was clear at first light High Commissioner Zeid said: "International and Afghan military planners have an obligation to respect and protect civilians at all times, and medical facilities and personnel are the object of a special protection.
"These obligations apply no matter whose air force is involved, and irrespective of the location."
Read more on the battle for Kunduz:
- The significance of Kunduz lies in its strategic location at the centre of drug-smuggling routes
- Residents' tales of fighting in Kunduz
- In pictures: How Kunduz 'recapture' unfolded
- Crucial capture: Taliban's biggest victory since 2001
- Who are the Taliban? A guide to the complexities and conflicts within the militant group
- Taliban selfies: The militants posing for pictures as they seized the city
MSF said that all parties to the conflict, including Kabul and Washington, had been told the precise GPS co-ordinates of the hospital on many occasions, including on 29 September.
In a statement, the charity said all indications pointed to the bombing being carried out by international coalition forces.
It reported that from 02:08 until 03:15 local time, the hospital was hit by a series of aerial bombing raids at approximately 15-minute intervals.
The main central hospital building - housing the intensive care unit, emergency rooms, and physiotherapy ward - was repeatedly hit during each aerial raid while surrounding buildings were left mostly untouched, it added.
"The bombs hit and then we heard the plane circle round," said Heman Nagarathnam, MSF head of programmes 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."
Image copyright MSF Image caption These MSF staff appear to be in shock following the attack (MSF photo) MSF president Meinie Nicolai described the incident as "abhorrent and a grave violation of international humanitarian law".
She added: "We demand total transparency from coalition forces. We cannot accept that this horrific loss of life will simply be dismissed as 'collateral damage'."
A spokesman for US forces in Afghanistan, Col Brian Tribus, said: "US forces conducted an air strike in Kunduz city at 02:15 (local time)... against individuals threatening the force.
Image copyright MSF Image caption MSF says surgery took place in the undamaged parts of the hospital following the attack "The strike may have resulted in collateral damage to a nearby medical facility."
In a statement, US Defence Secretary Ash Carter said: "While we are still trying to determine exactly what happened, I want to extend my thoughts and prayers to everyone affected.
"A full investigation into the tragic incident is under way in co-ordination with the Afghan government."
Gen John Campbell, the commander of US forces in Afghanistan, later confirmed the air strike was "in the vicinity" of the MSF facility but was targeting "insurgents who were directly firing upon US service members".
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said the US-led Nato force had offered condolences over the incident.
Taliban denial
The Afghan interior ministry said a group of 10 to 15 militants were hiding in the hospital.
"They are killed, all of the terrorists were killed, but we also lost doctors," ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqi said.
The Taliban denied that any of its fighters were there.
A Taliban statement described the air strikes which hit the hospital as "deliberate", and carried out by "the barbaric American forces".
MSF says that staff and patients critically injured in the attack on the hospital have been transferred to a hospital in Pul-e Khumri, two hours' drive away.
There has been intense fighting in Kunduz since Taliban fighters swept into the northern city on Monday.
Share this story About sharing
Taliban conflict
- The battle for the Taliban
23 September 2015
- Who are the Taliban?
29 September 2015
- Battleground Kunduz: The city the Taliban seized
29 September 2015
- Profile: Mullah Akhtar Mansour
30 September 2015
- Helmand: Life after UK withdrawal
20 July 2015
- Mullah Omar: The myth and the movement
29 July 2015
- Pakistan quiet on Mullah Omar death
30 July 2015
- In pictures: Peshawar school attack
16 December 2014
- Video Just who was Taliban's Mullah Omar?
30 July 2015
- Where have all Pakistan's militants gone?
30 June 2014
- The Karzai years: From hope to recrimination
12 July 2014
- Afghanistan: Before and after the Taliban
2 April 2014
- Profile: Ashraf Ghani
21 September 2014
- Profile: Abdullah Abdullah
29 September 2014
- Mullah Omar: Reclusive figure
30 July 2015
- What lies behind Afghanistan's insider attacks?
11 March 2013
Background
- How Qatar came to host the Taliban
22 June 2013
- Video Nato's exit strategy in Afghanistan
18 May 2012
- Eight weeks to face the Taliban
9 March 2011
Asia
Japanese man shot dead in Bangladesh
- 1 hour ago
- From the section Asia
Full article Japanese man shot dead in Bangladesh
Australia murder 'linked to terrorism'
- 3 October 2015
- From the section Australia
Full article Australia murder 'linked to terrorism'
Sport Japan beat Samoa to boost hopes
- 3 hours ago
- From the section Rugby Union
Full article Japan beat Samoa to boost hopes
More Videos from the BBC
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-0 ob-o"> Polar ocean 'teeming with nightlife' <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-1 ob-o">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-1 ob-o"> Peace march held over teen deaths in Brockley <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-2 ob-o">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-3 ob-o"> Virgin Atlantic plane strikes barrier at JFK Airport <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-4 ob-o">
<li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-4 ob-o"> A million stray dogs 'victims of Greek debt crisis' <li class="ob-dynamic-rec-container ob-recIdx-5 ob-o">
Recommended by Outbrain
Elsewhere on BBC
- 'Murder victim' found alive after 31 years BBC News
- Bristol man with 'abnormal desires' killed teenager for sex BBC News
- Mother or girlfriend - who do you save? BBC News
Recommended by Outbrain
- These Nazi bombs are more dangerous now than ever before BBC Future
- The raunchiest animated film ever? BBC Culture
- Six steps to stronger willpower BBC Future
Top Stories
UN denounces Afghan hospital bombing Air strikes on a hospital in the Afghan city of Kunduz that killed 19 people were "tragic, inexcusable and possibly even criminal", the UN says.
13 minutes ago
'Labour giant' Denis Healey dies at 98 34 minutes ago
Hunt for ship missing after hurricane 4 hours ago
Advertisement .
Features & Analysis
Liquid renewal
Can a bowl of soup help transform British cities?
Video 3:58
Bad practice
The patients subjected to intimate examinations - without consent
Why I gave up my baby
Made to feel ashamed for being a single mother
Diesel in spotlight
Putting your car emissions to the test
Crowdfunding news
Can Spanish website crack online challenge?
Unruly behaviour
Can a president whip his people into shape?
10 Things
Which Hollywood director still watches films on VHS tapes?
One week on
Aleem Maqbool tweets on Hajj stampede repercussions
Scrums, rucks & line-outs
What are the basics of rugby union?
Subscribe today 6 can't miss stories in your inbox every Friday
Most Popular popular
Most read
- 1 Gay Polish priest draws Vatican fire
- 2 Russia vows to intensify Syria strikes
- 3 Deal ends Robin Williams estate battle
- 4 Air strike kills Afghan medical staff
- 5 Can Nigerians stop being unruly?
- 6 Japanese man shot dead in Bangladesh
- 7 Fresh blast hits China's Guangxi
- 8 New cross symbolic for Pakistan's Christians
- 9 Two Israelis killed in Jerusalem attack
- 10 Willows musical set for world premiere
Advertisement
From Around the Web
- Thinking about home solar? Read This First (WikiConsumer.org)
- Fastest 20 Military Airplanes In The World. #1 Is Insane! (HistoryInOrbit.com)
- 5 Estates to Tour in the Glow of Connecticut's Autumn (CT Visit)
- Top Most Powerful Armies In The World By Rank (Shockpedia)
- Up close with the Israel Defense Forces' F-16I and Iron Dome (pictures) (CNET)
- The Richest President in History? Hint: He's Dead (InsideGov)
Promoted content by Outbrain
Ads by Google
- British Expat in New York
Avoid Losing 55% of your UK pension Move your pension. Free Guide!
www.forthcapital.com/PensionAdvice - Daily Routine for Knees
Doctors reveal the secret to better knees & joints - Do this daily!
www.instaflex.com/advanced - Disadvantages Of Reverse
Understand How a Reverse Mortgage Works -- Educate Yourself!
reversemortgageguides.org