GENEVA, April 5: An International Red Cross medical team that visited four Baghdad hospitals on Friday saw several hundred wounded and dozens of dead from bombing and fighting, a spokesman said ON Saturday, adding that the facilities were under considerable strain.

“The hospitals said they were stretched to their limits, particularly with regards to staff,” said International Committee of the Red Cross spokesman Florian Westphal.

The visit by ICRC officials took place before the latest heavy fighting in and around Baghdad, which US forces claimed they were entering on Saturday.

“Hospital staff face a difficult choice when the security situation obliges them to stay inside, between staying with their families or going to work,” said the spokesman.—AFP