197 civilians were killed and another 228 were injured in today's intensified artillery attack on civilian areas in Valaignarmadam. SLA fired artillery shells and cluster bombs in to civilian areas in Valaignarmadam.

Many cluster bombs fell and blasted in the environs of the Valaignarmadam church where many people have taken refuge. Some of those bombs fell in to the bunkers killing many who have taken hide for safety there.

Very high casualties were reported in Valaignarmadam. Many bodies were not recovered as people are leaving Valaignarmadam and moving inward for safety, said the Tamil National Reporter in his Friday evening report.

Volunteers are finding it difficult to bring the injured to Mulivaikkal hospital amid shelling.  With great difficulty 228 injured were brought to hospital. People are continuously moving in to Mulivaikkal area.

Meantime, ICRC ship that came to take the next set of injured civilian also faced difficulties due the SLNavy attack, delaying the shifting of people.

The ICRC staff came in Green Ocean ship to Valaignarmadam beach area by morning 7 AM. Sri Lanka Navy boats surrounded the ship and didn't allow it to go to shore. After many hours of negotiation they allowed to put anchor by 10.45 AM.

511 injured and their relatives were taken by the ICRC ship today (Friday), a young girl with both leg amputated died after boarding the ship.