Single landmine kills 13 civilians in Mali

Vehicle was travelling in an area where militants loyal to Isis are known to operate

Officials said vehicle had crossed border from Burkina Faso into Mali (AFP/Getty Images)

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.