Iraq families join exodus to escape violence

Hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes to escape the war and escalating sectarian violence in Iraq, the country's Ministry of Displaced Persons and Immigration announced Wednesday.

The reported exodus is the latest sign of the profound demographic changes in a country being ripped apart by Sunni-Shiite animosity.

The ministry said the deteriorating security situation in Baghdad was primarily to blame for 53,788 families leaving their homes.