Ivory Coast land clashes kill seven

Seven people were killed and several injured in land dispute clashes in Kossandji, a village in southeast Ivory Coast, prosecutor Naffissiatou Counta said.

Counta said the August 4 dispute between members of different communities caused major material damage and left one person missing.

Eighteen people have been charged with offences including murder, disturbing public order, unlawful possession of firearms and assault causing bodily harm, she said.

The official Ivorian Press Agency reported last week that tensions in Kossandji arose from a family dispute over land. Land disputes are common in Ivory Coast and sometimes turn deadly.