Sri Lanka Army (SLA) stepped up artillery, mortar and Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) fire on Mu'l'li-vaaykkaal, causing panic among civilians in a heavily congested village of Mu'l'li-vaaykkaal Friday from 9:30 a.m. Friday. Many civilians were killed as the shelling has continued for hours throughout the evening. Medical staff at the makeshift hospital were only able to report the deaths of those who succumbed to the injuries. 110 wounded civilians were admitted up to 4:30 p.m. at Mu'l'li-vaaykkaal hospital which came under attack on previous two days. 27 of the wounded have succumbed to their injuries. Many more, killed in the SLA barrage were buried or burnt by their kith and kin.
Around 200 civilians were rushed to the hospital on Thursday. 39 of themsuccumbed to their injuries.
Heavy exchange of gunfire and intense barrage was reported north of Mu'l'li-vaaykkaal where civilians were still seen fleeing towards the congested southern parts of the village within the so-called safety-zone.
Civilians had to stay under bunkers most of the night and day within the last 24 hours. Many were killed while they were asleep, medical sources reported.
Meanwhile, starvation prevails in the area as Colombo has deliberately limited humanitarian supplies for weeks.
Chronology:
Father and his child died on April 30th in night sleep.
Around 200 civilians were rushed to the hospital on Thursday. 39 of themsuccumbed to their injuries.
Heavy exchange of gunfire and intense barrage was reported north of Mu'l'li-vaaykkaal where civilians were still seen fleeing towards the congested southern parts of the village within the so-called safety-zone.
Civilians had to stay under bunkers most of the night and day within the last 24 hours. Many were killed while they were asleep, medical sources reported.
Meanwhile, starvation prevails in the area as Colombo has deliberately limited humanitarian supplies for weeks.
Congested life within the so-called safety zone at Mu'l'li-vaaykkaal where more than 100,000 have been forced within 8 square kilometer strip. Photographed on 01 May, 2009.
Congested road in Mu'l'li-vaaykkaal.
Close-up view of congested road inMu'l'li-vaaykkal
Another view of congested life.
Bunker above ground level inside a tarpaulin shelter. Note the use of bedsheets and other clothings to create sandbag bunkers
Civilians are busyily constructing bunkers with bedsheets and Sarees to create sandbag bunkers
Civilians seek shelter under tractor with sand-load
Shell attack at Mu’l’li-vaayvkkal on April 30th 2009 around 9:00 p.m. Two people were injured.
Shell attack at Mu’l’li-vaayvkkal on April 30th 2009 around 9:00 p.m. 10 people died on the spot.
People grab waste paddy husk of the last season heaped in the rice mills, in the hope of getting at least some grains and tiny fragments of rice to make little gruel.
People grab waste paddy husk of the last season heaped in the rice mills, in the hope of getting at least some grains and tiny fragments of rice to make little gruel.
A minor tea shop under the shelter of a lorry
Civilians forced to displace within Mu'l'li-vaaykkaal.
Chronology:
26.04.09 SLA poised for all-out-carnage
26.04.09 LTTE announces unilateral ceasefire
16.04.09 UN and IC signal civilian carnage
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