42 people were killed in eastern Chad after a clash between two families over a water point escalated into a cycle of reprisals. The Deputy Prime Minister Limane Mahamat said the cycle of reprisals had spread over a fairly large area, prompting an intervention by the army. He said the swift response by the military helped contain the clashes and that the situation is now under control. Mr Mahamat announced the launch of a customary mediation process in the village and of judicial proceedings to determine criminal responsibility. Inter-communal clashes over resources are common in the Central African country.