US: Human error led to Afghanistan hospital hit

A US airstrike on a Doctors Without Borders hospital in Afghanistan that killed at least 30 people was caused primarily by human error, the commander of the US forces said on Wednesday, promising disciplinary action.

General John Campbell said those most closely associated with the incident had been suspended from their duties, as he announced the results of an investigation into the October 3 strike.

The hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan came under devastating fire from a US special operations AC-130 gunship, in a prolonged attack that drew international condemnation.

The “tragic but avoidable accident (was) caused primarily by human error,” Gen Campbell said at a press conference at Nato headquarters here.

“The medical facility was misidentified as a target by US personnel who believed they were striking a different building several hundred metres away where there were reports of combatants,” Gen Campbell said.

“The personnel who requested the strike and those who executed it from the air did not undertake appropriate measures to verify that the facility was a legitimate military target,” he said.

Some of those involved in the attacks failed to follow the rules of engagement, Brigadier General Wilson Shoffner said at the same press conference.

“We have learned from this terrible incident,” said Gen Campbell.

“We will also take administrative and disciplinary action through a process that is fair and thorough (and) considers the available evidence.”