At least 72 people have died in an airstrike targeting a gold mine in northern Sudan, close to the Egyptian border. The attack, which occurred on Saturday, October 10, resulted in a massacre in an area where hundreds engage in artisanal gold mining, often under dire conditions.
The incident was reported by Emergency Lawyers, a Sudanese human rights organization, which released images and videos showing the aftermath of the raid. The footage reveals damaged buildings, debris, and numerous bodies wrapped in shrouds, as some individuals navigate through the rubble.
According to the organization, the Egyptian military is allegedly responsible for the operation. However, Cairo has not claimed the attack, leaving the accusation unconfirmed by independent sources.
The affected area is marked by border disputes between Sudan and Egypt, where control over mineral resources has long been a source of tension.
This is not the first incident of its kind. In June, another Egyptian military operation targeted a gold mining site in the same region, killing 23 people. At that time, Cairo authorities stated they were conducting a large-scale operation against illegal mining activities, claiming they occurred within national territory.
The recent airstrike highlights the plight of artisanal miners, whose work has become a crucial income source for thousands of Sudanese. Since the civil war began in April 2023, the collapse of large sectors of the national economy has driven more people to seek sustenance through gold mining.
In northern Sudan, relatively distant from major conflict zones, makeshift mining sites have proliferated, often lacking proper safety measures and difficult to regulate. For many families, working in these areas is one of the few ways to earn money in a war-torn country.
The tragedy unfolds amid an already dire humanitarian situation. The conflict between the Sudanese regular army and the Rapid Support Forces has caused a severe crisis, displacing millions and depriving entire communities of regular access to food, healthcare, and essential services.
The incident also risks escalating tensions along the northern border, where territorial disputes intersect with economic interests tied to gold deposits.
(Associated Medias) - All rights reserved