Afghanistan: MSF Treats Wounded in Kunduz After Protests

Following violent protests over the reported burning of Korans at Bagram Airbase in Afghanistan, the international medical humanitarian organization MSF has received 50 people at its surgical hospital in Kunduz Province in northern Afghanistan. Many patients had suffered gunshot wounds.

Protests have been raging across Afghanistan since the Koran burnings were first reported a week ago. Demonstrations turned violent in Kunduz as protesters tried to storm the UN compound there.

Of the 50 people who arrived at the MSF trauma hospital, 39 were admitted, the majority of whom were suffering from gunshot wounds. Three patients died. The remaining patients have been stabilized and treated or referred to the regional hospital in Kunduz. MSF surgical teams performed 14 operations throughout the day and into the night, including vascular surgical procedures and the treatment of fractures due to gunshots.

Photo: Afghanistan 2011 © Michael Goldfarb/MSF The MSF hospital in Kunduz