Heavy gunfire has erupted in Mali's capital, Bamako, on the second day of fighting between forces backing the country's new military rulers and soldiers loyal to former President Amadou Toumani Toure.

Shooting cracked out from the direction of the state television building on Tuesday, witnesses said, and people were reported to be fleeing the area.

Fighting overnight had claimed at least 14 lives, according to hospital sources who said casualties were on both sides. 

Soldiers loyal to Captain Amadou Sanogo, who led the March 22 coup, insisted that important installations in the capital remained in their hands following a counter-coup attempt.