56 Killed in Ethnic Fighting in Myanmar

Thousands of homes destroyed in conflict between Buddhists and Muslims

A government official says 56 people have been killed and almost 2,000 homes burned down in the latest outbreak of ethnic violence in western Myanmar.

Rakhine state spokesman Win Myaing said Thursday that the 25 men and 31 women were reported dead as of 7 p.m. local time in four townships in violence that re-erupted Sunday.