Inter-communal clashes in southern Guinea have claimed up to 40 lives and left more than 100 wounded, according to local radio reports.

The violence was centered around the town of Nzerekore and outlying areas, said a report in Aminata.com, citing local Liberty FM radio.

"I am speaking from the regional hospital with some local authorities," the reporter said. "The bodies of the dead and the wounded continue to arrive here. There are 40 bodies currently at the morgue. More than 100 wounded have been counted. In the center of town there is a tense calm but according to our information violence continues on the outskirts."

Authorities imposed a curfew in the area, the Voice of America reported.

The VOA report said there were at least 20 dead and dozens wounded. Quoting journalist Mamadou Dian Balde of the Independent and Democrat newspapers in Guinea, it said the violence started when members of the Guerze, or Kpelle, tribe beat to death an ethnic Konianke, or Mandingo, youth after accusing him of stealing gasoline.

Most of this report was excerpted and translated from the original on Aminata.com.