Obama expresses deepest condolences over Kunduz attack

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama has expressed deepest condolences over air strike on a hospital in Afghanistan's Kunduz city that killed 19 people and asked the Pentagon to keep him apprised of the investigation into it.

"On behalf of the American people, I extend my deepest condolences to the medical professionals and other civilians killed and injured in the tragic incident at a Doctors Without Borders hospital in Kunduz," Obama said in a statement.

The Department of Defense has launched a full investigation, Obama said, adding that he will await the results of that inquiry before making a definitive judgment as to the circumstances of this tragedy.

"I have asked the Department of Defense to keep me apprised of the investigation and expect a full accounting of the facts and circumstances," said the US President.

The US will continue to work closely with President Ashraf Ghani, the Afghan government, and international partners to support the Afghan National Defense and Security forces as they work to secure their country, he said.

In New York, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned the airstrikes in Kunduz, resulting in the death and injury of medical workers and patients at a Médecins Sans Frontières hospital.

Noting that hospitals and medical personnel are explicitly protected under international humanitarian law, he called for a "thorough and impartial investigation" into the attack in order to ensure accountability.

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said he is deeply saddened by the tragic incident and a US investigation into this tragic incident is under way in coordination with the Afghan government.