At least 44 people have died during fighting between police and gunmen in the current anti-drug offensive in Kingston, Jamaica's ombudsman says.
The city has seen days of running battles between security forces and fighters loyal to a suspected drug trafficker sought by the US.
The whereabouts of alleged drug lord Christopher Dudus Coke is unknown.
Police, backed by armoured cars and helicopters, have detained 200 people and seized guns in the operation.
The latest death toll was announced by the ombudsman, Bishop Herro Blair, after an independent evaluation of the situation was requested by Prime Minister Bruce Golding.
Full story and link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/latin_america/10164623.stm
The city has seen days of running battles between security forces and fighters loyal to a suspected drug trafficker sought by the US.
The whereabouts of alleged drug lord Christopher Dudus Coke is unknown.
Police, backed by armoured cars and helicopters, have detained 200 people and seized guns in the operation.
The latest death toll was announced by the ombudsman, Bishop Herro Blair, after an independent evaluation of the situation was requested by Prime Minister Bruce Golding.
Full story and link: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/latin_america/10164623.stm
