110 civilians killed in Colombian clashes

One hundred and ten civilians, including 40 children, have reportedly been killed during fierce fighting between right-wing paramilitaries and left-wing rebels in the impoverished Colombian province of Choco.

Authorities said most of the civilians were killed on Thursday, when the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) allegedly fired a home-made mortar at a church in the village of Bojaya where they had taken refuge.

Government officials rejected accusations that the attacks could have been prevented if warnings from the UN and human rights groups were heeded.