Massacre at South Sudanese Gold Mining Site Leaves Over 73 Dead as Gunmen Target Civilian Market in Central Equatoria

Gunmen attack a gold mining site in South Sudan's Central Equatoria, killing 73 and injuring dozens. Vice President Igga calls for an urgent investigation.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 31, 2026, 2:37 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Anadolu Agency

The Deadly Evening Ambush at Jebel Iraq

A peaceful mining community in South Sudan's Central Equatoria state became the site of a horrific mass casualty event when unknown gunmen descended upon the Jebel Iraq gold mine. According to eyewitness accounts, the attackers arrived on Saturday evening and immediately opened fire on a crowded market area where miners and their families had gathered. The suddenness of the assault left little room for escape, resulting in at least 73 confirmed deaths and 25 serious injuries as the assailants targeted non-combatants in a high-density civilian zone.

Government Condemnation and the Search for the Missing

Vice President James Wani Igga has officially denounced the massacre, labeling the incident a cowardly and senseless act of violence that directly threatens the nation’s fragile peace process. In a formal statement issued on Monday, Igga warned that the current casualty figures are based on unverified preliminary assessments and are likely to increase as search teams navigate the remote terrain for those reported missing. The Vice President emphasized that such brutality represents a fundamental violation of the right to life and an assault on the stability the government is attempting to cultivate.

Urgent Humanitarian and Security Directives

In the immediate aftermath of the slaughter, the South Sudanese government has pivoted toward a dual strategy of medical intervention and heightened militarization of mining districts. Vice President Igga has directed relevant ministries to provide urgent medical support for the survivors, many of whom sustained life-threatening injuries during the indiscriminate shooting. Simultaneously, new orders have been issued to significantly bolster security at all major mining sites across Central Equatoria to deter the unidentified groups responsible for the recent wave of instability.