Thousands Flee Violence on Coast

Thousands of men, women and children clutching a few belongings fled the Indian Ocean coast for the second straight day in fear of ethnic violence and attacks by government security forces. They left homes just south of Mombasa and trekked to bus and railway stations in the city or pushed farther south, ignoring government assurances of their safety. Those leaving said they were frightened both of being attacked and of being caught up in a sweep by the security forces, which have arrested more than 450 people this month. Residents estimated that at least 40,000 people out of a total population of 60,000 have left the Kwale region since the start of ethnic attacks by well-organized gangs in mid-August.