An eight-year-old child bride has died from appalling injuries sustained on the night of her wedding to a man five times her age.
Reports in the Middle East say the girl died from internal bleeding in the tribal area of Hardh in northwestern Yemen.
They say the girl, identified only as Rawan, was forced to marry the man, who is believed to be around 40 years old, and are now calling for the groom and her family to be arrested.
The practice of marrying young girls is widespread in Yemen and has attracted the attention of international rights groups seeking to pressure the government to outlaw child marriages.
Yemen's gripping poverty plays a role in hindering efforts to stamp out the practice, as poor families find themselves unable to say no to 'bride-prices' that can be hundreds of dollars for their daughters.
More than a quarter of Yemen's females marry before the age of 15, according to a report in 2010 by the Social Affairs Ministry.
Tribal custom also plays a role, including the belief that a young bride can be shaped into an obedient wife, bear more children and be kept away from temptation.
The news of the girl's death has been greeted with worldwide revulsion.