'Dozens die' in Mozambique fires

Bush fires in central Mozambique have killed at least 32 people and left thousands more without shelter, state media and relief officials have said.

The fires also destroyed homes and 16,000 hectares of agricultural land.

In Sofala province, the governor told the newspaper Noticias that 21 people had died and more than 700 homes had been burnt down.

The governor, Alberto Vaquina, said the government is providing tents and other assistance to those affected.

Zambezia province was reported to have been affected, as was Manica, on the border with Zimbabwe, where the fires killed 11 people and injured 26 others.

The fires, which began on Monday, have been driven across the region by strong winds.

The director of Mozambique's relief agency, Joao Ribeiro, said the number of victims may be higher than officially recorded because many people were burnt so badly they could not be immediately identified.