KABUL, Afghanistan, May 6 (UPI) -- U.S. Defense officials say they are investigating reports that dozens of Afghan civilians died in U.S. air attacks on Taliban positions in western Afghanistan.
Afghan officials claim up to 70 civilians were killed in heavy fighting Monday, the Los Angeles Times reported.
U.S. Army Col. Gregory Julian confirmed Tuesday that some civilians had sought treatment late Monday in the Bala Buluk district in Farah province.
Provincial officials contend dozens of civilians were killed as they sought shelter in the village of Gerani. They said villagers were extricating bodies from the rubble by hand, the Times said.
Provincial council member Hangama Saded told the newspaper in a telephone interview that about 70 people, including women and children, were thought to have been killed as they sought refuge in a large mud-brick residence.
