14,000 flee Ivory Coast as civil war fears grow

AT LEAST 14,000 people have fled the violence and political chaos in Ivory Coast, some walking for up to four days with little food to reach neighbouring Liberia, the UN refugee agency said. At least one child drowned while trying to cross a river.

The UN has said at least 173 people have died in violence over the disputed presidential run-off election held nearly one month ago.

The toll is believed to be much higher, though, as the UN mission has been blocked from investigating other reports including an allegation of a mass grave.