House packed with families became death trap in Iraq's Mosul

Ali Zanoun, one of the only survivors of a U.S. strike on a building in Mosul, lies on his bed as he waits for another surgery at a hospital in Irbil, Iraq, in this photo from Saturday, April 8, 2017. Zanoun was trapped for five days under the rubble of the building after the March 17 strike, which killed more than 100 people and was the deadliest single incident in the months-long Iraqi campaign to retake the northern Iraqi city. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana) (The Associated Press)

prev next

Ali Zanoun, one of the only survivors of a U.S. strike on a building in Mosul, awaits another surgery at a hospital in Irbil, Iraq, in this photo from Saturday, April 8, 2017. The March 17 strike levelled a house where more than 100 people were taking shelter from fighting, the deadliest single incident in the months-long campaign to retake Mosul. Accounts from Zanoun and other witnesses raise doubts on U.S. suggestions that the Islamic State group had intentionally caused the high death toll. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana) (The Associated Press)

FILE - Hawra Alaa Hassan, 4-years–old, who was badly burned in a U.S. airstrike in Mosul, sits on her bed at a hospital in Irbil, Iraq, in this file photo from Saturday, April 8, 2017. Accounts from survivors and witnesses cast doubt on U.S. suggestions that the Islamic State group was to blame for the high civilian death toll in the March 17 strike, which leveled a house where more than 100 people were taking refuge, killing almost all, in the deadliest single incident in the months-long campaign to retake Mosul. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana, File) (The Associated Press)

CAIRO – Accounts from witnesses cast doubt on American suggestions that the Islamic State group was to blame for the deaths of more than 100 people taking refuge in a house hit by a U.S. airstrike in Mosul, the deadliest single incident of the campaign to retake the Iraqi city.

U.S. officials said earlier that investigations into the March 17 strike may find militants forced people into the building, booby-trapped it with explosives, then lured the strike.

But seven witnesses and survivors who spoke to The Associated Press said families took refuge in the house because it was seen as safe. They say militants set up no explosives in the building, and none reported seeing any fighters firing from the roof.

U.S. Central Command declined to comment until the investigation is completed.