Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

Lib2011-054

Incident date

March 30, 2011

Location

العرقوب, Al Argoub, Al Wahat, Libya

Geolocation

30.315587, 19.680170 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between seven and ten civilians were allegedly killed and 25 more injured by a NATO airstrike on Al Argoub.

The BBC said: “Seven civilians died and 25 were hurt in a coalition air strike on a pro-Gaddafi convoy in eastern Libya, a doctor there has told the BBC. Dr Suleiman Refardi said Wednesday’s raid happened in the village of Zawia el Argobe, 15km (9 miles) from Brega. The strike hit a truck carrying ammunition, and the resulting explosion destroyed two nearby homes. All the dead were between the ages of 12 and 20, Dr Refardi said. Nato says it is investigating the claim.”

The source added: “Dr Refardi told the BBC that the Libyan government convoy had included tanks, artillery and trucks carrying ammunition. A direct hit on an ammunition truck and trailer in a street in Zawia el Argobe sent a hail of shrapnel into nearby houses, he said. Four of the dead were female, including three children from the same family, aged between 12 and 16, the BBC’s Ben Brown reports from Brega. Three boys, aged between 14 and 20, were also killed.”

Various local condolence pages named ten victims and posted pictures of them. Alkhdra posted the name of one combatant killed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Argoub (العرقوب), for which the generic coordinates are: 30.315587, 19.680170. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • (6 children2 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    25
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    NATO forces
  • Suspected targets
    Gaddafi forces, Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Alleged victim of NATO airstrike on Al Argoub on March 30th, 2011 (via ANVWL)
  • Alleged victim of NATO airstrike on Al Argoub on March 30th, 2011 (via ANVWL)
  • Alleged victim of NATO airstrike on Al Argoub on March 30th, 2011 (via ANVWL)
  • Alleged victim of NATO airstrike on Al Argoub on March 30th, 2011 (via ANVWL)
  • Alleged victims of NATO airstrike on Al Argoub on March 30th, 2011 (via Glory to martyrs)
  • Alleged victim of NATO airstrike on Al Argoub on March 30th, 2011 (via Lailat Elfatah)
  • Abdul Hakim Muhammad Al-Zarrouk, likely a soldier killed by NATO airstrike on Al Argoub on March 30th, 2011 (via Alkhdra)
  • Interview with the injured

NATO forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    NATO forces
  • NATO forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • (6 children2 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    25
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    NATO forces
  • Suspected targets
    Gaddafi forces, Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (19) [ collapse]