Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi visited the conflict-torn area of northern Rakhine state for the first time since hundreds of thousands of Rohingya fled the area.

A trawler carrying Rohingya Muslims fleeing violence in Burma has capsized, drowning at least five people, as the UN said the crisis has pushed more than 125,000 refugees into Bangladesh.

Gunshots rang out and residents fled burning homes today as security forces in western Burma struggled to contain deadly ethnic and religious violence that has displaced thousands of people.