Sri Lanka Army (SLA) offensive units are continuously engaged in an offensive push, targeting Iraddai-vaaykkaal junction from Puthukkudiyiruppu (PTK) Mullaiththeevu road, amidst heavy resistance by the Liberation Tigers of Tamileelam (LTTE), according to latest reports from Vanni. Stiff fighting was heard near Iraddai-vaaykkaal junction, close to the entrance of the so-called safety zone. Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) bombers attacked the area at least 6 times in the morning and helicopter gunships were seen firing rockets in the evening as Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) shells that hit Mu'l'li-vaaykkaal rocked the safety zone. As dead civilians were buried where they were attacked, only 83 wounded civilians managed to reach the hospital at Puthumaaththa'lan upto 5:00 p.m., according to medical sources.
Medical sources earlier reported that 12 wounded patients had died on their way and not brought to hospital. The hospital managed to send ambulances to Mu'l'livaaykkaal when the shelling ceased. Out of 83 admitted at the hospital, 6 died after admission, according to the medical authorities around 5:00 p.m.
Meanwhile, a 2-year-old baby girl, Sivagnanamoorthy Prasitha, affected by diarrhoea died at the hospital Wednesday. Many children have been affected by malnutrition and diarrhoea. The situation was deteriorating as humanitarian supplies were not being brought according to the requirements, medical sources said.
Children's ward at the hospital was full of wounded and sick.
The doctors were not able to save the life of a two and a half month old baby, Sakila, admitted at the hospital after severe malnutrition. The baby died on Tuesday.
Also, 4 post-operative patients died at the ward.
The ICRC ship to transport the wounded is expected on Thursday.
Chronology:
Medical sources earlier reported that 12 wounded patients had died on their way and not brought to hospital. The hospital managed to send ambulances to Mu'l'livaaykkaal when the shelling ceased. Out of 83 admitted at the hospital, 6 died after admission, according to the medical authorities around 5:00 p.m.
Meanwhile, a 2-year-old baby girl, Sivagnanamoorthy Prasitha, affected by diarrhoea died at the hospital Wednesday. Many children have been affected by malnutrition and diarrhoea. The situation was deteriorating as humanitarian supplies were not being brought according to the requirements, medical sources said.
Children's ward at the hospital was full of wounded and sick.
The doctors were not able to save the life of a two and a half month old baby, Sakila, admitted at the hospital after severe malnutrition. The baby died on Tuesday.
Also, 4 post-operative patients died at the ward.
The ICRC ship to transport the wounded is expected on Thursday.
Traffic resumed in between the attacks near the hospital
The hospital was struggling to cope with the sudden increase in the number of wounded and sick children
Children's ward at the makeshift hospital, photographed on Wednesday
A seriously wounded child in Sri Lanka Army (SLA) shelling on Wednesday
Six wounded civilians died after admission to the hospital
2-year-old girl Sivagnanamoorthy Prasitha died after diarhoea at the makeshift hospital
2.5 months old baby Sakeela, affected by malnutrition and admitted at the makeshift hospital died on Tuesday
Chronology:
12.04.09 Plight of babies born and unborn
09.04.09 Carnage continues in Vanni
06.03.09 Acid test for international actors
04.03.09 ICRC worker killed in SLA shelling
02.03.09 Hunger claims lives in Vanni
01.02.09 Shelling hits hospital, ICRC shocked
27.01.09 Norway breaks silence, condemns war
18.01.09 Vanni civilians under deadly siege