Video footage shows moment air strike hits funeral in Yemen

The initial bomb explodes before a second blast erupts in the same area

May Bulman
Monday 10 October 2016 10:07 BST
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Video footage shows moment air strike hits funeral in Yemen

Video footage has been released apparently showing the moment an air strike hit a funeral hall in Sanaa, Yemen, killing 140 and injuring at least 525 others.

Footage released by Al-Masirah TV shows the aftermath of the initial explosion before a second blast seemingly erupts in the same area.

A Saudi Arabia-led coalition has been fighting rebel Houthi forces in Yemen and Houthi officials blamed the alliance for the attack. The Saudi-led force has promised to investigate the incident but has not acknowledged any responsibility.

The two blasts have raised concern that the funeral hall could have been hit by a "Double tap" stirke which refers to a practice where after one strike is launched and people have begun rushing to help the wounded at the scene, a second strike hits.

Following the attack the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen was accused of carrying out a “genocide”, although it has consistently denied targeting civilians.

The coalition said it would launch an investigation into “reports about the regrettable and painful bombing” in Sanaa, but the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television network later stated the coalition had not carried out any air strikes in the area.

The latest attack prompted the United States to launch a review of its support for a Saudi-led coalition fighting the government in Yemen.

A day after the attack thousands of Yemenis marched in Sana'a to protest against the ongoing air strikes.

Some marched outside the UN building in the south of the city and blamed the organisation for not ending the conflict, urging an independent investigation, while others brandished automatic weapons and rebel supporters in the crowd called on people from the region to rise up and attack Saudi Arabia.

The funeral that was attacked was being held for Sheikh Ali al-Rawishan, the father of Galal al-Rawishan, the interior minister in the rebel-led government. Among those killed was Maj. Gen. Abdul-Qader Hilal, head of the capital's local council, according to officials.

Hundreds of body parts were found in and outside the hall after the attack, which rescuers are reported to have collected in sacks.

The conflict in Yemen has resulted in more than 10,000 people being killed.

Additional reporting by agencies

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