Militants of Islamic State in north-western Iraq have buried women and children alive during their attack on Yazidi ethnic minority, according to Iraq’s minister for human rights.

Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said his government had evidence that 500 Yazidi civilians had been killed so far, including women and children.

He also said that some of the victims had been buried alive and about 300 Yazidi women have been kidnapped as slaves.

Britain has also made its first airdrop of humanitarian aid to the refugees in the Sinjar mountains, including packets of food and water, but also tents and solar-powered lamps.

US aircrafts continued the humanitarian drops, while French aircrafts will make airdrops of aid, too.

David Cameron and Mr Obama discussed the airdrops in a phone call yesterday, but agreed that a “long-term solution” would be needed to quell the militant advance.