Colombian authorities say the death toll from this week's fighting between leftist rebels and right-wing paramilitaries is at least 98, including many civilians caught in the crossfire. 

On Saturday, rescuers evacuated at least 12 people wounded during the fighting in northwestern Colombia. 

Some of the civilians were killed when a mortar slammed into a church in Bojaya. The dead included almost 40 children. 

Army officials say it is still too dangerous for troops to enter the jungle area, where hundreds of fighters from the rebel Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, and the paramilitary United Self-Defense Forces of Columbia have been battling for several days. 

Both groups have been branded as terrorist organizations by the United States. 

Colombia is in the midst of a 38-year civil war that involves the FARC, a smaller rebel group, the paramilitaries and the Colombian government. The conflict has left tens of thousands of people dead. 

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