More than a dozen civilians were killed when their vehicle ran over a landmine in central Mali.
Local officials confirmed the vehicle had crossed the border from Burkina Faso where militants loyal to Isis are known to operate.
“I can confirm that a transport vehicle left Dibo in Burkina and ran over a mine near the town of Boni in Mali,” said Malian army spokesman Colonel Diarran Kone.
“The death toll is 13 and there are some wounded.”
A Malian security official told the Agence France Presse that the wounded were in a “critical”condition.
Another unnamed local officials said the vehicle was carrying seven traders from neighbouring Burkina Faso, as well as Malians travelling to a market.
Islamic extremists linked to al Qaeda took control of the desert north of Mali in early 2012, but were largely driven out in the French-led military operation launched in January 2013.
