Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

Lib2011-152

Incident date

August 26, 2011

Location

مشفى أبو سليم, Abu Salim Hospital, Tarabulus, Libya

Geolocation

32.854058, 13.174511 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 39 and 200 civilians died in Abu Salim hospital in Tripoli on August 26, 2011 according to multiple news sources, including Al Jazeera and BBC News.

A video by Al Jazeera shows Abu Salim hospital in Tripoli full over more than 100 dead bodies in the intensive care unit after the majority of the staff fled from violence. The reporters saw 39 bodies but is estimated that up to 150 died, with some being shot according to a witness. They describe the victims in the hospital as being both rebels and Gaddafi loyalists.

According to BBC News, about 200 people died in the hospital, including men, women, and children and pro-Gaddafi forces were responsible for killing them.

Videos posted by AFP Arabic, Popular Front for the Liberation of Libya, Ali Bob and Al Aan TV show countless dead bodies in the hospital and patients, including children, being evacuated by the International Red Cross.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Abu Salim hospital (باب العزيزية) in Tripoli (طرابلس‎), the generic coordinates for which are: 32.854058, 13.174511. 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
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    39 – 200
  • (2 children2 women2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    39 – 200
  • (2 children2 women2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (6) [ collapse]