Why is close assault so deadly to passengers?
 

It's weird that a close assault that fails to knock out an APC still manages to wipe out the entire section that is riding it...

Re: Why is close assault so deadly to passengers?
 

Not really, if its open top they are vulnerable or if they tried defending it through gun slits or a hatch. The passenger section could have been penetrated, game terms a round from say one of the squads GL launchers would make a nice mess of the insides while leaving the chassis & hence mobility intact, does not show an * as does not effect AFVs capabilities. Or of course you can assume the passengers tried to disembark to defend it & got cut down in the process.

Re: Why is close assault so deadly to passengers?
 

Yes, it only make sense that as the passengers jump off in terror, there would other fingers on the tigger to pick them off even if it's just a single semi-auto rifle.