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Rights group says 72 gold miners killed in Sudan strikes
BBC News··5d ago
Emergency Lawyers in Khartoum said at least 72 civilians prospecting for gold were killed in air strikes on Saturday at mining sites in Sudan's River Nile state. The group said jets targeted artisanal miners and called the toll provisional. Neither Egypt nor Sudan's de facto authorities had commented when the BBC reported the statement on Sunday.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Artisanal miners near Sudan's borders face continued risk if air operations resume in the area.
- Emergency Lawyers said the attacks may constitute war crimes under international humanitarian law.
- Survivors told Sudan Tribune the death toll could rise as many miners were injured.
What's Happening
- Witnesses told Sudan Tribune the attack began around 06:00 local time with more than five missiles.
- The group noted prior alleged Egyptian strikes on mining sites in the same border region.
- Egypt's border agency announced a security campaign in June against illegal mining and smuggling.
Gold and border tensions
- Sudan's civil war has expanded artisanal mining in remote border areas, the BBC reported.
- Egypt said in June it seized 86 tonnes of gold ore along with prospecting equipment.
- River Nile state lies along routes historically linked to cross-border smuggling.
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