The West African ECOMOG force in Sierra Leone says rebels in the north have killed nearly fifty civilians -- including women and children -- by locking them in a room and blowing it up.

The bodies were discovered after an attack by rebels and allied fighters in the Alikalia area a week ago.

An ECOMOG commander said about fifty other people were drowned while fleeing in canoes.

The ECOMOG officer said the Sierra Leone rebels seemed to have changed tactics when dealing with villagers who refused to cooperate.

He said they were now rounding them up in groups and killing them rather then engaging in their previous practice of hacking off limbs.