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| S Lanka hospital 'attacked again' | S Lanka hospital 'attacked again' |
| (1 day later) | |
| The Red Cross in Sri Lanka says three more civilians have been killed in artillery attacks on a hospital in Tamil Tiger-held territory. | The Red Cross in Sri Lanka says three more civilians have been killed in artillery attacks on a hospital in Tamil Tiger-held territory. |
| It said another 10 people were injured when shells hit a ward on Monday in the hospital in Puthukkudiyiruppu town in Mullaitivu district. | It said another 10 people were injured when shells hit a ward on Monday in the hospital in Puthukkudiyiruppu town in Mullaitivu district. |
| Aid workers say nine died in three strikes on the hospital at the weekend. | Aid workers say nine died in three strikes on the hospital at the weekend. |
| The government says it is not responsible for the attacks and has told civilians to leave the war zone. | The government says it is not responsible for the attacks and has told civilians to leave the war zone. |
| 'Decisive stage' | 'Decisive stage' |
| Puthukkudiyiruppu is situated in an enclave held by the rebels and is home to tens of thousands of civilians. | Puthukkudiyiruppu is situated in an enclave held by the rebels and is home to tens of thousands of civilians. |
| See map of the region | See map of the region |
| The hospital is one of the last functioning health facilities in the area. | The hospital is one of the last functioning health facilities in the area. |
| A Red Cross spokeswoman told the BBC's Anbarasan Ethirajan in Colombo that people had started to leave the hospital in search of safer places. | A Red Cross spokeswoman told the BBC's Anbarasan Ethirajan in Colombo that people had started to leave the hospital in search of safer places. |
| The spokeswoman, Sarasi Wijeratne, said the organisation was "negotiating for safe passage with both sides to bring the sick and wounded to government-controlled territory for treatment". | The spokeswoman, Sarasi Wijeratne, said the organisation was "negotiating for safe passage with both sides to bring the sick and wounded to government-controlled territory for treatment". |
| In an earlier attack, the UN said, the shells hit a crowded paediatric unit. At least nine people were killed in the firing, the Red Cross said. | In an earlier attack, the UN said, the shells hit a crowded paediatric unit. At least nine people were killed in the firing, the Red Cross said. |
| It is not clear who fired them, with pro-rebel websites blaming the army for the attacks, and the military denying any role. | It is not clear who fired them, with pro-rebel websites blaming the army for the attacks, and the military denying any role. |
| In a statement, the government said fighting in the north-east was at a "decisive stage" and that it could not guarantee civilians' safety in the area. | In a statement, the government said fighting in the north-east was at a "decisive stage" and that it could not guarantee civilians' safety in the area. |
| Separately, the army said it had found an underground bunker complex it believed was one of the hideouts of the top leader of the Tamil Tigers. | Separately, the army said it had found an underground bunker complex it believed was one of the hideouts of the top leader of the Tamil Tigers. |
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| Tour of the underground bunker (Sri Lanka military pictures) | |
| The two-storey-deep bunker was found hidden in a coconut plantation in Mullaitivu district during fighting on Monday, the army said. | The two-storey-deep bunker was found hidden in a coconut plantation in Mullaitivu district during fighting on Monday, the army said. |
| The ministry said the bunker had electricity generators, air conditioning and medical supplies. | The ministry said the bunker had electricity generators, air conditioning and medical supplies. |
| There was no sign of the rebel leader Velupillai Prabhakaran. | There was no sign of the rebel leader Velupillai Prabhakaran. |
| The army also said it had captured another rebel air strip. The 2km strip near Piramanthalkulam is the seventh reported captured by the military. | The army also said it had captured another rebel air strip. The 2km strip near Piramanthalkulam is the seventh reported captured by the military. |
| INSURGENCY TIMELINE 1976: Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam form in the north-east1987: India deploys peace-keepers to Tamil areas but they leave in 19901993: President Premadasa killed by Tiger bomb2001: Attack on airport destroys half Sri Lankan Airlines fleet2002: Government and rebels agree ceasefire2005: Mahinda Rajapaksa becomes president2006: Heavy fighting resumes2009: Army takes main rebel bases of Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu Voices from Sri LankaTamil diaspora voices | |
| There is no independent confirmation of any of the army's claims - journalists are not able to reach the front lines. | There is no independent confirmation of any of the army's claims - journalists are not able to reach the front lines. |
| The Sri Lankan government has told civilians to leave the area of fighting in the north-east but it is unclear how those trapped can escape. | The Sri Lankan government has told civilians to leave the area of fighting in the north-east but it is unclear how those trapped can escape. |
| Sri Lanka's military says it has designated a safe zone for civilians in a 32 sq km buffer zone on the A-35 main road which links Paranthan and Mullaitivu. | Sri Lanka's military says it has designated a safe zone for civilians in a 32 sq km buffer zone on the A-35 main road which links Paranthan and Mullaitivu. |
| The zone is inside a gradually shrinking rebel enclave north of Mullaitivu. | The zone is inside a gradually shrinking rebel enclave north of Mullaitivu. |
| Aid workers say that, in recent days, shells have fallen into the zone and people have been killed there. Both sides deny being responsible for firing into the area. | Aid workers say that, in recent days, shells have fallen into the zone and people have been killed there. Both sides deny being responsible for firing into the area. |
| The army offensive has pushed the rebels into a 300 sq km (110 sq mile) corner of jungle. | The army offensive has pushed the rebels into a 300 sq km (110 sq mile) corner of jungle. |
| Aid agencies say up to 250,000 civilians are in the area. | Aid agencies say up to 250,000 civilians are in the area. |
| The government says the number is closer to 120,000. It accuses the Tamil Tigers of not allowing civilians to leave, saying they are being used as human shields. | The government says the number is closer to 120,000. It accuses the Tamil Tigers of not allowing civilians to leave, saying they are being used as human shields. |
| The rebels say the civilians prefer to stay where they are under rebel "protection". | The rebels say the civilians prefer to stay where they are under rebel "protection". |
| MAP OF THE REGION Click here to return | MAP OF THE REGION Click here to return |