Authorities in Burkina Faso say more than 60 civilians have been killed in four days of ethnic clashes that began with the murder of a religious leader and six family members.
The Fulani ethnic group have been battling with members of the Fulse community.
Eyewitnesses say they saw dead bodies near a gold mining site, the local market and in the town.
The government says the situation is being exacerbated by jihadist groups, who have taken advantage of the instability to carry out their own attacks.
A state of emergency has been in effect in the northern region since the end of last year.
