ICRC: More casualties possible in Sri Lanka

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-30-2009 10:30

The head of the International Committee of the Red Cross delegation in Sri Lanka says that the situation in the country has descended into a crisis. It is warning that more casualties will follow unless something is done to stop the civil violence.

Sri Lankan troops, shown in an undated photograph issued by  the Sri Lankan Defence Ministry, patrol in the north eastern  town of Vishwamadu. The United Nations evacuated hundreds  of severely wounded civilians from behind rebel lines in  Sri Lanka Thursday as government troops fought to secure  final victory over the Tamil Tigers.(AFP/Defence Ministry)

About 250 to 300 civilians have reportedly been killed in fighting over the past week in northern Sri Lanka. And hospital records are showing that more than 11-hundred have been wounded.

Concerns have grown over the safety of civilians trapped inside rebel-held territory amid a government offensive aimed at crushing the Tamil Tigers.

Paul Castella, head of ICRC S.Lanka Delegation, said, "It's just not possible to continue the way it is going, because the population is not safe where it is, it doesn't get the aid that it's supposed to get, and patients are not evacuated as they are supposed to be evacuated to get adequate treatment. So things need to be done."