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Rights group says strikes killed at least 72 gold miners on Sudan-Egypt border

Emergency Lawyers accused Egypt's air force; Egypt has yet to comment and independent verification remains difficult.

Updated Oct 12, 2026 · 16:20 UTC4 reports

The short version

  • Sudanese group Emergency Lawyers says at least 72 artisanal gold miners were killed in Saturday air strikes in a disputed border area.[Deutsche Welle]
  • The group accuses Egypt's air force of carrying out the strikes, while Egypt has yet to comment.[Deutsche Welle]
  • Survivors say thousands were working at the site when it was hit, so the exact casualty count is unknown.[Deutsche Welle]
  • The attack is reportedly the second this year in the same border area, after a June strike reportedly by Egypt killed 23 workers; Sudan Doctors Network expects the toll to rise.[Deutsche Welle · France 24]

Key facts

  • Emergency Lawyers said at least 72 workers were killed in air strikes on Saturday in a disputed Sudan-Egypt border area that targeted artisanal gold miners.[Deutsche Welle · France 24]
  • Emergency Lawyers accused the Egyptian air force of carrying out the strikes.[Deutsche Welle · France 24]
  • Egypt has not officially commented on the strikes, but has previously acknowledged a large-scale operation against illegal gold mining within its borders.[Deutsche Welle]
  • Independent verification of the death toll and details remains difficult because of the remote location.[Deutsche Welle · France 24]
  • The attack is the second of its kind this year in the same border area; a June strike reportedly by Egypt killed 23 workers at an informal gold mining site.[Deutsche Welle · France 24]
  • The Sudan Doctors Network warned that the death toll is expected to rise due to severe injuries and limited access to medical care.[Deutsche Welle]
  • Emergency Lawyers stated that repeated attacks on gold- and mineral-rich border regions reflect a desire by Egyptian authorities to expand control over Sudan's natural resources.[Deutsche Welle · France 24]
  • Sudan's civil war between the military and the Rapid Support Forces has killed more than 200,000 people, and Chatham House estimates as much as 60% of unofficial gold exports end up in Egypt.[Deutsche Welle]

What remains uncertain

  • The death toll is unverified and may rise, because independent verification is difficult and survivors say exact numbers are unknown.[Deutsche Welle · France 24]
  • Egypt's responsibility is an allegation by Emergency Lawyers; Egypt has not issued an official comment on the strikes.[Deutsche Welle · France 24]
  • The earlier June strike is reportedly attributed to Egypt, and the attribution has not been independently confirmed.[Deutsche Welle · France 24]

Sources

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