34 killed in raid on South Sudan village

South Sudanese government soldiers fire a rocket toward a rebel position in Bor on January 26, 2014 during an exchange of heavy artillery fire. Thirty-four people, mostly women and children, died when rebels attacked Kolnyang Payam village, east of the Jonglei State capital Bor, police and government officials said Friday. AFP PHOTO / ALI NGETHI

By  MACHEL AMOS

What you need to know:

  • Former South Sudan vice-president Riek Machar’s rebel forces stormed the village on Wednesday evening and drove out women and children who had just returned from the bushes since they fled fighting in mid-December last year, said Bor County Commissioner Agoot Alier.
  • Elsewhere, a landmine explosion killed 19 people and injured 30 others in Sudan’s troubled Blue Nile state.

Thirty-four people, mostly women and children, died when rebels attacked Kolnyang Payam village, east of the Jonglei State capital Bor, police and government officials said Friday.

Former South Sudan vice-president Riek Machar’s rebel forces stormed the village on Wednesday evening and drove out women and children who had just returned from the bushes since they fled fighting in mid-December last year, said Bor County Commissioner Agoot Alier.

“They just shot indiscriminately at the people. We have found 34 bodies and the toll may be higher,” said Dr Agoot.

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LANDMINE EXPLOSION

Elsewhere, a landmine explosion killed 19 people and injured 30 others in Sudan’s troubled Blue Nile state.

Police said the blast took place in Dokan, which has witnessed heavy fighting between government forces and rebels in the last few months.
They further said the casualties were taken to Damazine Hospital in the capital of the state. The hospital’s general director Mohamed Ali said 13 people were seriously injured.
Additional reporting by Mohammed Amin, Nation Correspondent

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