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South Sudan Nile ferry sinks with more than 200 dead | South Sudan Nile ferry sinks with more than 200 dead |
(35 minutes later) | |
More than 200 civilians in South Sudan have drowned in a Nile ferry accident while fleeing fighting in the town of Malakal, an army spokesman has said. | |
He said women and children were among the victims in Sunday's disaster. | |
Some 355,000 people have been displaced by the fighting between the South Sudanese government and rebel forces, according to the UN. | Some 355,000 people have been displaced by the fighting between the South Sudanese government and rebel forces, according to the UN. |
Malakal is the gateway to the oilfields of the Upper Nile region and the town has seen fighting in recent days. | Malakal is the gateway to the oilfields of the Upper Nile region and the town has seen fighting in recent days. |
"The reports we have are of between 200 to 300 people, including women and children. The boat was overloaded," army spokesman Philip Aguer told the AFP news agency. | |
"They all drowned. They were fleeing the fighting that broke out again in Malakal," he added. | |
Malakal is located on the banks of the White Nile - just north of its confluence with the Sobat River. | Malakal is located on the banks of the White Nile - just north of its confluence with the Sobat River. |
Heavy fighting was reported in and around Malakal, which has already changed hands several times since the conflict began last month. | |
Talks aimed at securing a ceasefire in South Sudan are currently taking place in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. | |
The negotiations are being overseen by the East African regional bloc, Igad. | |
The violence erupted on 15 December between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and soldiers backing Riek Machar, his former vice-president. | |
The UN estimates that more than 1,000 people have died since the conflict began on 15 December. | The UN estimates that more than 1,000 people have died since the conflict began on 15 December. |
South Sudan seceded from Sudan in 2011 after a long and bloody conflict, to become the world's newest state. | South Sudan seceded from Sudan in 2011 after a long and bloody conflict, to become the world's newest state. |