Shell kills 15 in Liberian church

A mortar round has crashed into a church crowded with hundreds of refugees near Monrovia's embattled port, killing at least 15 civilians, including whole families, who were taking shelter inside.

It was the second time in two days that shells have hit buildings filled with refugees in Liberia's capital, under siege by rebels in a now week-old offensive to take Monrovia and topple President Charles Taylor.

The Greater Refuge Church, on a hill overlooking the Monrovia's rebel-held port and the heavily contested bridges leading from it, had taken in hundreds of refugees from outside the capital since rebels began their latest push for the capital in June.

Fighting raged at the port overnight, and witnesses said five shells slammed into the ground around the church.

A sixth hit the church building directly, exploding among the refugees bedded down for the night.

Neighbours, contacted by telephone after daybreak, counted 15 bodies laid out in front of the church, surrounded by wailing survivors.

The dead included a husband, wife and children of at least one entire family.

Residents were getting ready to haul the dead down the hill, where a mass grave was being dug.

Hospital workers said they still were taking in wounded from the barrage, but could provide no immediate tally.

"People are still crying. Rockets have been falling all around us," said Kate Wright, a neighbour of the church reached by telephone.

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