U.S. Probe Finds Afghanistan Hospital Bombing a 'Tragic Mistake'

A U.S.-led probe into the bombing of an Afghanistan hospital back in October has found that the incident was a "tragic mistake," according to a top U.S. official.

U.S. Army General John Campbell said that the hospital, run by Doctors Without Borders in the city of Kunduz, was tragically and accidentally struck on October 3. The incident left 22 people dead, including one dozen aid workers.

"This was a tragic mistake. U.S. forces would never intentionally strike a hospital or other protected facilities," General Campbell, who commands U.S. forces in Afghanistan, said in a statement announcing the results of the investigation.

General Campbell added that the incident happened as a "direct result of avoidable human error, compounded by process and equipment failures."

The U.S. military also reportedly released a summary of the findings of their investigation to the public.

The general's comments come after Doctors Without Borders demanded an investigation into the bombing of the hospital, arguing that pending an investigation, the incident would be viewed as a "war crime."

"Governments up to now have been too polite or afraid to set a precedent," Dr. Joanne Liu, president of Doctors Without Borders, said in statement following the incident in October.

"The tool exists, and it is time it is activated," Liu added.

"We reiterate our (request) that the U.S. government consent to an independent investigation led by the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission to establish what happened in Kunduz, how it happened, and why it happened," Liu added.