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Attackers storm the maternity ward in Afghanistan, killing newborns and mothers
A security guard takes a newborn to a safe place. Image: EPA
At least 40 people have died in two attacks in Afghanistan, including newborns. The attacks targeted the maternity ward of a hospital in Kabul and a funeral service in eastern Nangarhar province, officials said Tuesday.
In the morning, three unidentified men stormed the maternity ward of a hospital in the Afghan capital Kabul, according to the Interior Ministry. They killed two newborn babies and their mothers, a total of at least 14 people. Another 15 civilians, including children, were injured, a spokesman for the interior ministry said. All attackers have been killed by special forces.
According to the Interior Ministry, the security forces saved more than 100 people, including many women and children. Previously there were several explosions and shots were fired. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is also active in the hospital and is in charge of the maternity ward, the aid organization said on Twitter.
Bullet holes in the wall of the Kabul hospital. Image: EPA
Dozens of deaths in the east of the country
In eastern Nangarhar province, a suicide bomber blew himself up on Tuesday at a funeral and killed at least 24 people. More than 68 people were injured at the funeral of a local police chief, a provincial government spokesman said. Two other provincial politicians spoke of at least 45 deaths.
In the western Farah province, at least two children were killed by mortar fire during nightly battles between government forces and the Taliban, two provincial councilors said.
NATO’s deputy civilian representative in Afghanistan and the human rights organization Amnesty International strongly condemned the attacks. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks in Kabul and Nangarhar. The Islamist Taliban militant denied responsibility for the attacks. Both the Islamic State terrorist militia and the Taliban are active in Afghanistan. (cma / sda / dpa)
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