Seven killed in Saudi-led coalition airstrike on hospital in Yemen, says Save the Children

Four children and health worker were killed in indiscriminate attack on a hospital in a densely populated civilian area, says charity

The damage after a missile struck a gas station near the entrance to Kitaf rural hospital 100 km from the city of Saada, Yemen (SAVE THE CHILDREN)

Four children have been killed in a Saudi-led coalition airstrike on a remote hospital in Yemen, according to Save the Children.

Three others were killed during the attack on Tuesday, and at least eight others were wounded after the missile struck a petrol station near the entrance of the rural hospital, around 100km from Saada in the country's northwest, the charity said. Two adults remain unaccounted for.

A health worker and their two children were among those killed.

The hospital – supported by the charity – had just opened for the day and many patients and staff were said to be arriving on the busy morning.

“We are shocked and appalled by this outrageous attack. Innocent children and health workers have lost their lives in what appears to have been an indiscriminate attack on a hospital in a densely populated civilian area,” said Kevin Watkins, CEO of Save the Children, who has visited some of the charity's health facilities in Yemen.

“Attacks like these are a breach of international law.”

The attack comes as the devastating conflict enters its fifth year, which the UN says had left at least 10,000 dead, displaced more than 3 million people, and left most of the population food insecure.

The civil war pits Houthi rebels – who control northern Yemen – against the Saudi-led coalition backing the internationally recognised government. UN experts have accused both sides of committing possible war crimes.

The damage after a missile struck a gas station near the entrance to Kitaf rural hospital 100 km from the city of Saada, Yemen (SAVE THE CHILDREN)

Some 37 children have been killed per month in bombs in the last year, according to Save the Children.

The Saudi-led coalition has been accused by rights groups of targeting hundreds of hospitals as part of its aerial campaign against rebels in the north. The coalition denies these claims.

Five opposition parties wrote to the British foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt on Monday, urging the government to halt arms sales to Saudi Arabia.