Thousands of people uprooted by violence in Central African Republic are taking refuge in a hospital after armed groups looted and burned a camp for the displaced, medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said on Thursday.

At least 10,000 people are staying on the grounds of the hospital in the town of Batangafo — 400 km (250 miles) north of the capital Bangui — nearly two weeks after fighting broke out between rival groups, according to the charity.

The camp for the displaced was attacked and several aid groups were looted during two waves of violence that left 24 people dead and 17 injured as of the start of August, MSF said.