Cattle rustlers killed around 30 people in Madagascar on Friday, setting fire to homes in the village of Ambolotarakely, in the commune of Ankazobé north of the capital Antananarivo.
A dozen assailants - cattle rustlers, known locally as dahalos - rounded up the victims inside three houses before setting them on fire, police said.
A total of 32 people were killed.
Three injured people have since been in intensive care at a local hospital.
The mobilized army
Located on a small hill, the village of Ambolotarakely is made up of a dozen houses with thatched roofs.
Television footage showed the three houses completely burnt down, with only parts of the walls still standing.
"We must find the perpetrators of this massacre and condemn them according to the law in force," said President Andry Rajoelina in a message.
"The Malagasy army takes all its responsibilities to come to the rescue of the population and track down the thugs," he added.
After the incident, army helicopters were deployed to locate the suspects and help ground troops search the area, police said.
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