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Clashes in South Sudan's Rumbek reportedly kill 71, government says

Armed youths from rival Dinka communities fought in Rumbek; government forces now control the town.

The short version

  • Clashes in Rumbek, Lakes State, reportedly killed 71 people, according to the caretaker government, and the South Sudanese Information Ministry put the toll at about 70.[Al Jazeera · Associated Press]
  • Armed youths from the Pakam and Nyang communities, both Dinka, were involved, and Rumbek State Hospital received more than 50 wounded people.[Associated Press]
  • Government forces and police now control Rumbek town, but the death toll has not been verified.[Al Jazeera · Associated Press]

Key facts

  • The caretaker government said intercommunal clashes in Rumbek, Lakes State, killed 71 people, and the exact toll has not been verified.[Al Jazeera]
  • South Sudan's Information Ministry said about 70 people were killed, including four soldiers, and that the exact toll had not been verified.[Associated Press]
  • A clinical officer at Rumbek State Hospital said the hospital received more than 50 wounded people, most with chest injuries.[Associated Press]
  • The fighting involved armed youths from the Pakam community in Rumbek North County and the Nyang community in Rumbek Central County, both part of the Dinka ethnic group.[Associated Press]
  • The government said Rumbek town is under the control of government security forces and police, and efforts to restore normalcy are ongoing.[Al Jazeera · Associated Press]

What remains uncertain

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.