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Deadly clashes in Kyrgyzstan city Deadly clashes in Kyrgyzstan city
(about 3 hours later)
At least three people have been killed in clashes in Kyrgyzstan's second-largest city of Osh, the country's health ministry says. Several buildings in Osh were set on fire
At least 46 people were reportedly injured when hundreds of youths fought in the streets of the southern city. At least 12 people have been killed in clashes in Kyrgyzstan's second-largest city of Osh, health ministry officials say.
The authorities have now declared a state of emergency in Osh, sending armoured vehicles to restore order. More than 100 people were also injured when hundreds of youths fought in the streets of the southern city.
Osh is the power base of former President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who was overthrown in deadly protests in April. The authorities have now declared a state of emergency, sending armoured vehicles to restore order.
Mr Bakiyev fled with his family to Belarus after clashes between government forces and protesters on 7 April left at least 85 people dead. According to local reports, fighting broke out between rival gangs and developed into gun battles.
Osh is the power-base of the former president, Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who was violently overthrown in April.
Since then, the interim government has been struggling to restore order, and there are fears now of an upsurge of violence between Kyrgyz and ethnic Uzbeks.
Appeal for calm
Reports from Osh said that a number of buildings, including cafes, a local TV channel and a theatre were ablaze.
It appears that the majority of the properties belonged to ethnic Uzbeks.
Firefighters were at the scene trying to put out the fires, but angry youths were reportedly throwing rocks to prevent them doing their job.
It is not clear who is behind the violence, but in an address to the nation, the country's interim president Roza Otunbayeva said mass disorder had been triggered by some small-scale skirmishes and she called on people to remain calm.
Residents told the Associated Press news agency that shooting had continued into Friday morning and that helicopters were flying low overhead.
Since then, the interim authorities have been struggling to restore order in the south of the country, which is home to a large ethnic Uzbek community.
In recent weeks several incidents have prompted fears of inter-ethnic violence between Uzbeks and Kyrgyz.
The country's interior and defence ministers are reportedly travelling to the region.
The ousted president, Mr Bakiyev, fled with his family to Belarus after clashes between government forces and protesters on 7 April left at least 85 people dead in the Central Asian state.
The violence was the culmination of months of discontent over rising prices and allegations of corruption in Kyrgyzstan, which had been regarded as one of the more progressive states in the region.
The violence has also raised fears of a civil war in the country, where both Russia and the US have military bases.
The interim government has promised to hold elections in October, after a constitutional referendum on reducing presidential powers.