South Sudan: Hundreds dead in tribal clashes between Lou Nuer and Murle in Pibor town
Clashes between rival tribes in a South Sudan town have left hundreds dead, a UN official has said.
Government troops opened fire to stop about 6,000 armed Lou Nuer tribal youth from entering the town of Pibor in Jonglei state which is home to the rival Murle people, Lise Grande, the UN humanitarian co-ordinator for South Sudan, said on Tuesday.
Tensions between the two tribes over cattle rustling have mounted in recent months.
“There were more than a hundred children who were orphaned and unaccompanied,” Grande told Al Jazeera.
Our correspondent in Juba reported that hospital there overflowing with survivors of the violence.
“Juba Hospital already has limited resources,” said Al Jazeera’s Haru Mutassa.
“The arrival of more than 100 patients from Jonglei state is making things difficult.”
Unconfirmed reports based on survivor accounts given to the AFP news agency suggested up to 150 people, largely women and children, were hunted and killed after fleeing Pibor.