50 dead in Syria hospital attack: UN

The United Nations said nearly 50 civilians, including children, died in bombings of at least five medical facilities and two schools in northern Syria's Aleppo and Idlib provinces.

At least seven people were killed, and at least eight are missing, presumed dead, after a Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) -supported hospital in Idlib province in northern Syria was destroyed in an attack on Monday morning, the medical humanitarian organisation said.

The hospital in Ma’arat Al Numan was hit by four missiles in two attacks within a few minutes of each other, according to staff from the hospital. Around 15 other houses and structures located in populated zones were struck in the area, including reports of another non-MSF-supported hospital during Monday morning.

“The destruction on the MSF supported facility appears to be a deliberate attack on a health structure,” denounces Massimiliano Rebaudengo, MSF’s Head of Mission.

Five patients were killed, as well as one caretaker. In addition, a hospital guard was killed and eight members of staff are missing, presumed dead. Other patients are still missing, but their numbers are currently unknown.

“The destruction of the hospital leaves the local population of around 40,000 people without access to medical services in an active zone of conflict,” Massimiliano said.

There were also reports on Monday morning of another two hospitals in Azaz city being attacked. These facilities were not supported by MSF.

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