378 Civilians Reported Dead in Sri Lanka Artillery Barrage

An all-night artillery barrage in Sri Lanka's war zone killed at least 378 civilians and forced thousands to flee to makeshift shelters, a government doctor said today. The army and Tamil Tiger rebels each blamed the other for the barrage, which the doctor said left at least 1,100 people wounded in the bloodiest day he has seen in months of fighting.

Dr. V. Shanmugarajah said many more were likely killed, but they were buried where they fell instead of being taken to the makeshift hospital where he works in the war zone. He described the situation at the understaffed hospital as "overwhelming." Most doctors and nurses have long since fled, he said, and even volunteers to dig graves were in short supply. (More Sri Lanka stories.)