Thirteen people have been killed and two others wounded during an attack by unidentified gunmen in a village near Renk County, the Minister of Information in Eastern Nile State has said.

Jacob Chan Lam says the deceased were farmers who were shot dead while cultivating their gardens in Mekdoch village.

“Among these 13 people killed were 11 women, including a pregnant mother,” Mr Lam told Eye Radio.

Mr Lam told Eye Radio that the state government is investigating the incident, which he says took place on Tuesday.

An MP representing the area in the National Legislative Assembly, Deng Goch, said some of the victims were burnt alive.

The Eastern Nile Coordinator in Juba said the bodies of the deceased have been buried.