The International Committee of the Red Cross said 15 civilians were killed immediately and six others died in hospital following the raid in the rebel Tamil Tiger-held Mullaitivu area on Wednesday.

Reports say that more than 30 others were wounded.

Tamil Tiger radio broadcasts said the aircraft bombed a crowded market place in a Tamil village and that many buildings were destroyed.

The Red Cross said bombs fell just two km away from its office in the area.

"The ICRC deplores the fact that the air strikes were carried out in a civilian area," a spokesman said.

'Tiger camps targeted'

A Tamil member of parliament, Joseph Pararajasingham, said the bombing was a tragic and barbaric act and called for an immediate investigation.

However, the Defence Ministry said they would wait for more information before making any decision.

It said the air force had hit only two targets that morning - Tamil Tiger training camps in a coconut estate and in the jungle.

"Whether they had brought civilians to those locations we cannot say," military spokesman Sunil Tennakoon said.