Thousands of civilians fled Sri Lanka's eastern battle zone by tractor and on foot today as shells fell nearby during an artillery battle between Tamil Tiger rebels and the army, survivors said.
Small pockets of rebels continued firefights with troops in the eastern Muslim town of Mutur, where aid workers say between 20,000-30,000 people were trapped by the fighting before they headed south in search of safety.
Tamil Tigers also attacked army camps, while the Army said it killed dozens of rebels as Norway's peace envoy flew in to discuss the future of Nordic truce monitors as the island slides back to civil war.
"We left everything behind -- our wealth, our belongings. We have to be somewhere safe," said 24-year-old shop owner S.M. Ramees, arriving with thousands of fellow displaced at the town of Palathoppur south of Mutur.
A dozen aid trucks organised by local Muslim groups drove towards Mutur carrying food and water, white flags flying from their windows. Soldiers drove by in armoured vehicles.
The Navy said it killed around 50 Tigers during a firefight near Mutur jetty on Friday, but said the rebels had taken all but nine of the dead with them. Pro-rebel Web site www.tamilnet.com said an army shell killed five fleeing civilians.
At least 20 civilians, 12 Tigers and one soldier were confirmed killed on Thursday.
The Tigers and rebels each accuse the other of inflating enemy death tolls.