UN: Violence could escalate to atrocities

Violence in Burundi is in danger of escalating to mass atrocity crimes, the United Nations warned on Monday, but the tiny African state said it was "not in flames" and would work to allay fears of an impending genocide.

About 240 people have been killed and tens of thousands have fled to neighboring states, during months of violence that began when President Pierre Nkurunziza decided in April to run for a third term. He won an election in July.

"Burundi finds itself in a deep political crisis and rapid escalation of violence that has serious implications for stability and ethnic harmony in Burundi," UN political affairs chief Jeffrey Feltman told the UN Security Council.