Over five people have been killed and 38 seriously injured in the UN camp in Malakal town, Eastern Nile state, a community leader has told Eye Radio.

Deng Amum, who also lives inside the camp, says they came under attack by soldiers last night.

Mr Amum said the attack came after UNIMSS conducted weapons inspections based the information that some civilians in the camp were in possession of weapons.

He said that six seriously injured people are now under operation at a health facility. But he said the situation is calm now.

“The army came around 6:00pm but the UN repulsed them and then they came again from the southern side of the POC, broke down the gate and started shooting,” Mr Amum described the incident to Eye Radio.

For her part, UNMISS spokesperson Ariane Quentier said the details of the incident are not clear.

She, however, condemned the fighting:

“We also want to remind all the parties, including the SPLA, of the civilian charter of the UN compound as well as the sanctity of UN……..including the civilian population protected inside the compound.”

Brigadier Malak Ayuen, SPLA head of Information and public relations, said he has no clear information about what happened.

Eye Radio’s efforts to contact state government officials have been unsuccessful.

According to UN figures, some 47,000 people live inside the Malakal base.