UNICEF says it is extremely concerned at reports of the death of 40 children in Iraq.

According to official reports the children - from minority groups - died as a direct consequence of violence, displacement and dehydration over the past two days.

The agency says families who fled the area are in immediate need of urgent assistance.

Up to 25,000 children are now believed to be stranded in mountains surrounding Sinjar in North Western Iraq and are in dire need of humanitarian aid including drinking water and sanitation services.

The region was taken over by the Islamic State (formerly known as ISIS) on Sunday.

UNICEF Iraq representative Marzio Babille said "According to official reports received by UNICEF, these children from the Yazidi minority died as a direct consequence of violence, displacement and dehydration over the past two days".

Yazidi Kurds are linked to ancient Persian religion of Zoroastrianism and live primarily in the Nineveh province of northern Iraq.

UNICEF is calling "all those who have influence" to immediately grant children and women free and safe access to areas of refuge and respect the special protection afforded to children under international humanitarian and human rights law.