At least 32 civilians were killed and 67 wounded Wednesday in shelling that hit people trying to escape fighting in Yemen's southern city of Aden by sea, a health official said.

The shelling hit a small fishing harbour and a barge carrying civilians, the official said, blaming Huthi rebels who have been trying to take control of Aden's Tawahi neighbourhood and clashing with forces loyal to exiled President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.