Thousands escape Borneo violence on navy ship

Terrified refugees are crammed onto an Indonesian navy ship to escape marauding mobs in Borneo as officials said the death toll…

Terrified refugees are crammed onto an Indonesian navy ship to escape marauding mobs in Borneo as officials said the death toll from a week of ethnic bloodshed had reached 210.

Officials said the navy had dispatched another two vessels to pick up some 24,000 refugees holed up in the town of Sampit, centre of the violence between indigenous Dayaks and immigrants from Madura island off east Java.

A passenger ferry was also heading to the town in Central Kalimantan province, they said.

Some victims have been beheaded and their heads paraded through town. Others have been burned to death.

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Smoke rose from burning buildings in several places in Sampit this morning and many shops were closed.

Police have arrested about 80 people over the violence, including three alleged masterminds. There were no immediate reports of fresh attacks.