Local officials said on Oct. 21 that a drone strike on Amiet Market in disputed Abyei killed at least 153 people, and South Sudan summoned Sudan’s ambassador to protest.
A later estimate from local officials put the toll at 226. The United Nations has verified fewer deaths so far. On Oct. 19, the attack hit a fuel depot at the busy market north of Abyei town.
It started a fire that made rescue and recovery work harder. Yohanna Akol Ngor, Abyei’s caretaker information minister, first raised the reported death toll from 73 to 153. In a later account, he cited two mass graves and raised the local estimate to 226.
The U.N. said its peacekeeping force had confirmed more than 80 deaths and treated 27 injured people. The force was continuing to verify casualties. The figures have not been reconciled.
South Sudan and Abyei officials blamed Sudan’s military. An unnamed Sudanese officer told The Associated Press that the army had targeted fuel tankers allegedly bound for the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. That account has not been independently verified.
The identities of those killed have not been independently verified. Sudan’s government later denied involvement. South Sudan said the circumstances remained unestablished.
The U.N. condemned the attacks. It called for an investigation. Doctors Without Borders reported treating more than 20 wounded people.
Some patients had severe burns. Local officials said about 8,000 people fled the area. The incident has increased tensions in Abyei, an oil-rich territory.
Both Sudan and South Sudan claim Abyei. Sudan’s war between the army and the RSF continues to threaten neighboring areas.