Cold comfort in Bangladesh for Myanmar refugees

Refugees fleeing the violence in Myanmar are seeking shelter in Bangladesh.

An unknown number have come ashore along the Naf River border. Many have been turned away or thrown out.

(SOUNDBITE) (Bengali) MUNIRA BEGUM, AIDING MYANMAR REFUGEES, SAYING:

"One of the people staying at my home was injured by a bullet. There were fourteen people at my home but at night members of the Bangladeshi Border Guard came and took them away."

Inside one home, a whole family was hiding out.

(SOUNDBITE) (Bengali) ABDUS SALAM, MEMBER OF FAMILY IN HIDING, SAYING:

"They torched our houses, killed our relatives and assaulted our women. They are killing Muslims. When we protested, the government forces shot our people - and some were killed. Then we started fleeing."

Myanmar is witnessing its worst sectarian violence in years with clashes erupting between Muslims and Buddhists

UN officials are negotiating with Bangladeshi authorities to allow safe haven to those fleeing the violence.

Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters