Gunfire resounded in parts of Jamaica's capital Kingston as security forces fought armed supporters of a fugitive alleged drug lord in a fourth day of violence that has killed nearly 50 people.
Soldiers and police were still searching for Christopher "Dudus" Coke (42) a notorious suspected Jamaican drug dealer whose extradition is being sought by the United States on charges of cocaine trafficking and gun-running.
Streets in the rundown capital of the Caribbean tourist island were virtually deserted, with limited traffic and most schools and many businesses remaining closed.
Soldiers and police patrolled in armoured vehicles and sports utility vehicles.
Most of the dead were young men, suspected gang member supporters of Coke, who were killed when heavily armed security forces on Monday stormed the Tivoli Gardens slum that US prosecutors say served as a "garrison" for his supporters.
Police detained some 500 slum residents.
Bursts of gunfire could be heard yesterday from the Waltham Park neighborhood, north of Tivoli Gardens, and from Rockfort on the road to Kingston's international airport.
Jamaican political ombudsman Herro Blair said he had made a tally of 44 civilians killed in Tivoli Gardens after he was sent there by prime minister Bruce Golding on an inspection mission on Tuesday, along with public defender Earl Witter.
"We know now for sure that there are 35 civilian bodies in the morgue, and when we were leaving last night there were another nine to be picked up," said Mr Blair, who is a clergyman.
Mr Witter said he was concerned about the disparity between the high number of civilians killed in the Tivoli Gardens assault and the low number of firearms seized by soldiers and police - only four, including an AK-47 automatic rifle.
"The security forces have their own explanation. If they don't find it particularly curious, I certainly do," he said.
Police said the increased number of dead civilians brought the overall death toll from four days of clashes in parts of Kingston to 49, up from 31 previously.
At least three members of the security forces have been killed in the gunfights.
Many locals supported the crackdown.
"This country has been taken over by criminals and we had 1,800 murders last year.
Tivoli Gardens is one of the worst places in Jamaica and it is time that something is done about that community. It is like a kingdom within an island," said resident Jennifer Baker.
Mr Golding, who declared a state of emergency on Sunday in two Kingston parishes after suspected supporters of Coke attacked police stations with firebombs and gunfire, has proposed tougher anti-crime laws, including anti-gang provisions.
Reuters