17 die in Saudi-led airstrike in Yemen

SANAA, Oct 14 (Xinhua): At least 17 passengers fleeing escalating war in Yemen's war-torn port city of Hodeidah were killed on Saturday when a Saudi-led coalition airstrike hit two buses near a security checkpoint, a provincial hospital official said.

The airstrike hit the buses in Masbarah area at the top of Jabal Ras hill near a Houthi-manned security checkpoint south of the port city.

"Most of the victims are women and children," the official told Xinhua by phone on condition of anonymity.

He said 20 others were wounded and were transported to several hospitals.

The Houthi-controlled Saba news agency reported the air attack, while there was no immediate comment from the Saudi-led coalition.