At least 16 more people have died of starvation in the besieged Syrian town of Madaya since an aid convoy entered earlier this month, according to Doctors Without Borders (MSF).
Several dozen more residents of the town are in “danger of death” because of severe malnutrition, the humanitarian group warned.
The latest deaths bring the number of people reported to have died of starvation in Madaya to 46 since December, according to MSF.
But the medical charity said the real toll could be even higher.
“MSF has clear medical reporting for 46 starvation deaths since December 1,” the group said in a statement to AFP.
“The real number is almost certainly higher, as MSF is aware of reports of people dying of starvation in their homes.”
Located in Damascus province, Madaya is under government siege, and its fate has been one of the sticking points for fresh peace talks on the Syrian conflict that opened on Friday after delays.
