Jamaica violence death toll rises

THE overall death toll from four days of violence in Jamaica’s capital rose to 49 yesterday after the country’s ombudsman said he had tallied the bodies of 44 civilians killed in a police assault on an alleged drug lord’s stronghold.

Heavily armed soldiers and police stormed the Tivoli Gardens slum on Monday searching for Christopher “Dudus” Coke, whose extradition is being sought by the United States on charges of cocaine trafficking and gun-running.

Security forces in Jamaica, a popular Caribbean vacation destination, say they have been fighting gunbattles in the streets with armed supporters of Coke, who has not yet been located.