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South Sudan Nile ferry sinks with more than 200 dead | South Sudan Nile ferry sinks with more than 200 dead |
(about 3 hours 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. | 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. | He said women and children were among the victims in Sunday's disaster. |
More than 350,000 people have been displaced by the fighting between the South Sudanese government and rebel forces, according to the UN. | More than 350,000 people have been displaced by the fighting between the South Sudanese government and rebel forces, according to the UN. |
Rebels say they have captured Malakal, which is the gateway to the oilfields of the Upper Nile region. | |
But there is no independent confirmation of the claim. | |
"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. | "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. | "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. |
Thousands of civilians have been trying to escape the clashes by crossing the river, but many say they simply cannot afford to pay for a boat, says the BBC's Andrew Harding in South Sudan. | |
One refugee, Akuch, told our correspondent that she had had to borrow as much as 150 Sudanese pounds (£40; $66) to cross the river. | One refugee, Akuch, told our correspondent that she had had to borrow as much as 150 Sudanese pounds (£40; $66) to cross the river. |
Some 9,000 civilians have recently arrived at a UN base in Malakal, almost doubling the number of people seeking shelter there, our correspondent says. | Some 9,000 civilians have recently arrived at a UN base in Malakal, almost doubling the number of people seeking shelter there, our correspondent says. |
Malakal has already changed hands several times since the conflict began last month. | |
In the south, government troops are believed to be advancing on Bor - the only major town previously in rebel hands. | |
Meanwhile, talks aimed at securing a ceasefire in South Sudan are currently taking place in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. | Meanwhile, 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 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 violence erupted on 15 December between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and soldiers backing Riek Machar, his former vice-president. |
President Kiir is a member of South Sudan's largest ethnic group, the Dinka, while Mr Machar is from the Nuer community - the country's second largest. | President Kiir is a member of South Sudan's largest ethnic group, the Dinka, while Mr Machar is from the Nuer community - the country's second largest. |
The conflict has seen reports of mass killings along ethnic lines even though both men have prominent supporters among their rival's community. | The conflict has seen reports of mass killings along ethnic lines even though both men have prominent supporters among their rival's community. |
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. |