More than 140 Yemenis were killed and at least 525 were injured, the U.N. said, citing health officials. The casualty figures are likely to increase.
CNN reported at least 155 Yemenis were killed, citing two health ministry officials.
The U.N. Office of the Humanitarian Coordination for Yemen released a statement saying the “humanitarian community in Yemen is shocked and outraged” by the attack. The humanitarian coordinator, Jamie McGoldrick, “unequivocally condemn[ed] the horrific attack” and called for an immediate investigation.
The Associated Press described the ghastly scene: “In the aftermath of the strike, hundreds of body parts were found strewn in and outside the hall. Rescuers collected them in sacks.”
A rescuer told the Associated Press that the bombing turned the funeral into a “lake of blood.”
The delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Yemen said it is “mobilizing to support health facilities deal with the influx of dead and wounded.” The humanitarian group sent 300 body bags and medical supplies.
We're mobilizing to support health facilities deal with the influx of dead and wounded. 300 body bags & medical supplies on the way #Sana'a
— ICRC Yemen (@ICRC_ye) October 8, 2016
Robert Mardini, regional director of the Red Cross in the Middle East, said he was “outraged” by the loss of civilian life.
Doctors Without Borders said six hospitals it supports in Yemen treated more than 400 wounded Yemenis after the attack. Four hospitals operated by Doctors Without Borders in Yemen have been bombed by the U.S.-backed, Saudi-led coalition.
1. Six @MSF-supported hospitals in #Sanaa, #Yemen treated more than 400 wounded after an airstrike hit a funeral hall south of the capital
— أطباء بلا حدود-اليمن (@msf_yemen) October 8, 2016
Social media reports said the coalition carried out a “double-tap” airstrike, meaning it returned and bombed the building a second time, when people were trying to rescue those wounded in the first attack.
A video of the second strike circulated on social media. The building bombed in this video is the same building in Reuters’ photos of the attack, meaning it is likely real.
BREAKING VIDEO
After 1st Saudi Airstrike on funeral in Yemen, people went in to rescue people, Saudi jets came back for 2nd and 3rd strikes pic.twitter.com/U7Z7WgDx6m— Bassem (@BBassem7) October 8, 2016