UN observers yesterday came under fire as they tried to reach the site of the latest reported mass killing in Syria — about 80 people, including women and children who were shot or stabbed. The deaths added urgency to diplomatic efforts to end the escalating bloodshed.

United Nations monitors were shot at while trying to get to the scene of the latest Syrian massacre, secretary-general Ban Ki-moon said today.

United Nations observers have been blocked by Syrian troops from the site of a new mass killing, the head of the monitoring team said today.

Syrian authorities have today denied the reports of a new massacre as "absolutely baseless".