Paris: At least seven people were killed after a Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)-supported hospital in Syria was destroyed in an attack on monday, the medial humanitarian organisation said.
The hospital in Ma'arat Al Numan in Idlib province 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.
"The destruction on the MSF supported facility appears to be a deliberate attack on a health structure," said 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, a MSF statement said.
Other patients are still missing, but their numbers are currently unknown, the statement said.
"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.
- IANS