16 Jul 2011

Civilians killed by roadside bomb

7:57 am on 16 July 2011

A roadside bomb has killed five civilians in southern Afghanistan.

Government officials said they included two children. All the victims were passengers in a minivan.

The BBC reports the attack took place in Sangin district in Helmand province.

The United Nations reported on Thursday that there were 1462 civilian deaths in Afghanistan in January - June, a 15% increase on the same period last year. Roadside bombs were the main cause.