Kuwait: Aftermath: US Navy pilot bombing range accident latest
English/Nat
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Questions about the bombing range accident in
Kuwait that killed six people are focusing on whether blame rests with the
Navy pilot who dropped the bombs or the air controller on the ground who was responsible for directing the strike, or both, defence officials say.
The pilot, an experienced squadron commander, had received the go-ahead from a
U-S forward air controller who then called out "abort, abort" in a belated attempt to wave off the misplaced strike.
It was not clear whether the controller was among those killed.
The U-S Central Command, which is responsible for
American military operations in the
Persian Gulf area, appointed a three-star general to lead an investigation.
Five Americans at the observation post and one
New Zealand army major were killed, in the fatal accident Monday evening at the Udairi training range in northern Kuwait.
Three other people were seriously injured, one evacuated to a U-S military hospital in
Germany.
The other two were in Kuwaiti medical facilities and will be taken to Germany when they are able to travel.
Foreigners living in Kuwait who were interviewed by A-P-T-N were deeply saddened by the accident, and many of them called for an investigation.
A spokesman for the Kuwaiti military said the accident would not damage relations with the U-S.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I'm very sorry about that. It always happens in training, though. But we are sorry, what can we do?"
SUPER CAPTION:
VOX POP US Citizen
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Well, it's a sad thing to happen, and I'm sad that people got killed."
SUPER CAPTION: VOX POP
British Civilian
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"It was a big mistake from the
US navy, and it was their fault. They need to find out what went wrong and punish whoever did it."
SUPER CAPTION: VOX POP US Citizen
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I do not think that there was anything sinister behind it. I think it was just a normal accident whilst the guys were just doing their job, you know."
SUPER CAPTION: VOX POP
British Citizen
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I was very shocked to hear about what happened at the practice area out in Kuwait, especially being from New Zealand, and to hear that one of the
New Zealanders was amongst the people that were killed.
And I hope that they have a thorough investigation into how the accident happened, so that things like this don't happen again.
It's always very sad when someone from your country or anybody in particular gets killed in an accident like this, and we must do our best to prevent it happening again. So my reaction was one of shock, and I do hope that they have a thorough investigation so they can find out how the accident happened, and prevent it happening again. And of course, I feel very sad for all the families who lost people in the accident, and my sympathy goes out to them, particular the New Zealand family."
SUPER CAPTION: VOX POP New Zealand
Citizen
SOUNDBITE: (
English)
"We are military comrades in arms. We have been working together for the last 10 years. We have established such a strong bond in our relationship militarily and on a national level. And of course, when an accident happens like this, I think it will will strengthen our motivation to work even harder and look into each other's interests."
SUPER CAPTION: Kuwait
Armed Forces Commander,
General Ali Mumen
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