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At least 169 people have been killed and buried in a mass grave following an attack in South Sudan’s northern Ruweng Administrative Area, local officials said Monday.
Elizabeth Achol, the area’s health minister, confirmed the toll, stating that “a total of 169 bodies have been laid to rest in a mass grave.”
James Monyluak, the local information minister, gave the same figure but warned that “the figure may increase further if more bodies are discovered.”
He said the victims included women, children, and elderly people.
Approximately 50 others were injured and transferred to medical facilities in Abyei and Warrap State for treatment, Monyluak added.
A diplomatic source indicated that preliminary information suggested the attack may have been carried out by a Nuer group, possibly in retaliation for the killing of traders.
No group has claimed responsibility. The incident occurred early Sunday morning in Abiemnom County. Monyluak said many residents fled to nearby villages, while others sought refuge at a United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) compound.
“The security situation has since stabilised, with government security forces deployed and now in control of the area,” he added.
A UNMISS spokesperson said peacekeepers are “temporarily sheltering some 1,000 civilians within our base in the area and providing emergency medical care to the injured”.
