Dozens of heavily armed Muslim rebels opened fire in a hospital in Central African Republic, killing at least 16 people, including three local health workers for Doctors Without Borders, officials said today.
The weekend attack was the first time the international aid group has lost staff members in this country since sectarian violence began in December.
The group, also known as Medecins Sans Frontieres or MSF, is the only group working in much of the impoverished country and has kept up its efforts despite the fighting.
The attack took place in Boguila, in the northwest near the border with Chad, where MSF has operated since 2006. The heavily armed rebels assaulted the compound as health workers met with community leaders.
"While some of the gunmen robbed the MSF office at gunpoint and fired shots into the air, other armed men approached the meeting place where MSF staff and community members had gathered together on benches," the group said today.
"Unprovoked, the armed men started firing heavily into the crowd, leaving both dead and critically wounded."
The group will suspend activities in Boguila following the killings, said Stefano Argenziano, the head of MSF in Central African Republic.
"While we remain committed to providing humanitarian assistance to the community, we also have to take into account the safety of our staff," Argenziano said. "In reaction to this unconscionable act, we are also examining whether it is feasible to continue operations in other areas.
