Armed assailants kill 73 at South Sudan gold mine

The government officials in South Sudan have confirmed the death of 73 people that were killed at a gold mine by Armed assailants.

The attack, linked to a dispute over gold extraction, occurred on Saturday near Jebel Iraq in Central Equatoria state in the south of the country, Vice President James Wani Igga said.

At least 25 others were injured and some fled the scene.

Authorities warned that the death toll could rise as the search for missing people continues. It remained unclear which group was responsible for the attack.

The vice president said an official investigation would be launched and security measures at mining sites and commercial centres would be strengthened.

Charles Madut, the governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal state in the country’s north-west, condemned the attack, describing the violence against innocent civilians as unacceptable and saying the perpetrators must be brought to justice.