WHO 'appalled' by Kabul maternity hospital attack as combined toll rises to 56

The combined death toll from two attacks in Afghanistan, including one on a hospital in which infants and nurses were killed, has risen to 56, health officials said Wednesday, as World Health Organisation observed a moment of silence for the victims.

Three gunmen stormed a Kabul maternity hospital Tuesday as parents brought infants and children for appointments.

The attackers were eventually killed in a lengthy clearance operation during which heavily armed Afghan security forces carried babies from the scene — at least one wrapped in a blood-soaked blanket.

On Wednesday, Afghanistan's Deputy Health Minister Waheed Majroh said at least 24 people were killed in the attack and another 16 wounded. Authorities had earlier put the death toll at 14.

No group has so far claimed the attack, but President Ashraf Ghani has blamed both the Taliban and Daesh.

Ghani also blamed the two groups for a suicide bombing in the country's restive east, which happened shortly after the hospital assault.

A suicide attacker blew himself up in the middle of a funeral ceremony for a police commander in Nangarhar province.

Provincial health ministry spokesman Zaher Adel said 32 people were killed in the bomb attack and another 132 wounded. Officials had earlier said 24 mourners were killed.

Daesh claimed the bombing.

After the attacks, Ghani ordered Afghan forces to resume strikes against the Taliban.

The Taliban responded by warning it was "fully prepared" to counter Afghan forces.

WHO 'appalled'

The head of the World Health Organisation said Wednesday he was "shocked and appalled" by the deadly attack on a maternity hospital in Afghanistan.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus held a minute of silence, in memory of those killed, during a virtual press conference at the WHO's headquarters in Geneva.

"I was shocked and appalled to hear of the attack on an MSF hospital in Afghanistan, which led to the deaths of nurses, mothers and babies," Tedros said.

"Civilians and health workers should never be a target," he added.

"We need peace for health and health for peace. And we need it now. In the time of a global pandemic, I urge all stakeholders to put aside politics and prioritise peace, a global ceasefire and ending this pandemic together."

Tedros then urged everyone present and following the briefing online to stand in silence "out of solidarity and respect for those killed and injured, as well as all those nurses and health professionals working right now in some of the most difficult environments in the world."