Sudan planes 'bomb Chad refugees'

As peace breaks out in the south, war is raging in Darfur

Two refugees have been killed after a Sudanese plane bombed them in Chad, a United Nations official says.

A spokeswoman for the UN refugee agency said a man and his two-year-old girl had died, citing Chad officials.

The UNHCR says that some 100,000 people have fled the western Darfur province since a rebellion began last year.

They say the government is bombing their villages to drive them out but this would be the first time the bombs have landed in Chad.

Harsh terrain

UNHCR spokeswoman Helene Caux quoted an official in the town of Tine as saying that seven explosions had been heard in the Red Hill area, where the refugee camps are.

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The fighting in Darfur has worsened as peace talks to end the war in the south of the country have progressed.

Those who have been forced to flee their homes accuse the government of using aircraft to bomb their villages, with militia groups then mounting follow-up raids.

BBC correspondent Grant Ferrett says many of those crossing the border have walked for several days, having left their homes with few, if any, possessions.

The UNHCR also says it is concerned about the harsh border terrain and poor weather conditions refugees are forced to endure - with scorching sun during the day and bitter cold at night.