Police in Colombia say more than ninety people died on New Year's Eve as a result of incidents involving guns and knives.

There were a similar number of deaths during Christmas celebrations.

Police figures say about thirty-one thousand people were murdered in the country in 1997 -- which makes Colombia one of the most violent places in the world.

Correspondents say most of the deaths are attributed to common crime, personal vendettas, and high levels of alcohol consumption.