Radio Tamazuj station broadcast a statement from United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in which he expressed his deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished a swift recovery to the injured.

Guterres added that after the attack, the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) deployed medical personnel, firefighting equipment, and rapid response forces after the incident to provide emergency treatment, help evacuate the injured, and prevent the fire from spreading.

The UN chief said the death toll is expected to grow as UNISFA forces continue to verify the casualties and missing persons, reiterating that attacks on citizens and civilian infrastructure are prohibited under international law.

“There must be accountability,” Guterres said. “I urged the governments of South Sudan and Sudan to take all possible steps to prevent further attacks and to preserve Abyei’s status as a demilitarized area,” he concluded.

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