Jakarta – More than 2,000 Christians fleeing attacks by Muslim fighters in their village have been evacuated from mountainous jungle in eastern Indonesia's Maluku islands.

"As of now, 2,254 people have been found, out of an estimated 5,000 who fled to the jungle," Mr Sammy Weileruni, a lawyer working with the Maranatha church in Ambon, said. Police also helped with the evacuation.

The residents fled the village of Waai, 35 km north-east of Ambon, as militants razed their village on July 30. At least 37 people have died in the jungle, Mr Weileruni added.

Reports from those who managed to reach the village of Suli close to Ambon city, said 23 people were killed by attackers who chased them into the jungle, while 11 others died of various causes like severe cold or existing wounds while in hiding there. To reach Suli, refugees had to walk 50 km through mountainous terrain to avoid what they regarded as hostile villages believed to be the base of the attackers. Mr Weileruni said the operation to bring down more people from the mountains would continue.