More than 50 people were reportedly killed and 70 wounded on Monday when a drone struck a busy market near Abyei, in the disputed border region between Sudan and South Sudan, according to local Sudanese media.
The attack hit Al-Naam market, also known as Amiet, at about 11 a.m., setting fuel stocks, vehicles and nearby businesses ablaze, witnesses said.
Radio Dabanga separately reported the strike, allegedly carried out by the Sudanese Armed Forces, but said an accurate casualty count was not yet available.
A local Dinka Ngok traditional leader told the broadcaster that several missiles hit the market, causing substantial casualties and damage.
Local Sudanese media quoted trader Mohamed Abdo as saying the market was crowded when the drone attacked its northern fuel-trading section. Local sources said foreign nationals were among the casualties, while medical sources reported that wounded people were evacuated to Abyei hospital.
The reported death toll and responsibility for the attack could not be independently verified.
The market, roughly 10 kilometres north of Abyei town, is an important trading point supplying fuel, food and other necessities to communities across the border region.
Local reporting said it had resumed trading only a week earlier, following a closure caused by communal violence.
