BERLIN (AP) Germany's chancellor is calling for a "thorough and quick" investigation into Friday's airstrike in northern Afghanistan.

The German-ordered attack carried out by U.S. jets was called after Taliban militants hijacked two fuel tankers. Villagers had gathered to siphon off gas before the strike and Afghan officials say up to 70 people were killed.

Chancellor Angela Merkel (AHN'-geh-lah MEHR'-kuhl) says she wants to see a NATO investigation to determine whether civilians died in the airstrike. The top NATO commander, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, confirmed yesterday that civilians were among the wounded.

Germany's Defense Ministry told German broadcasters the Taliban's possession of the two tankers "posed an acute threat" to their soldiers. German officials have said the tankers might have been used as suicide bombs.

Merkel says if civilians were killed she would "deeply regret" it.

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