Locals in Nanurunyang village pan alluvial soil in the water to separate the gold particles from the soil | Credit | Jale Richard/Eye Radio

At least 8 people including three women have died following an attack by gunmen at a gold mine in Kapoeta South County of Eastern Equatoria State on Friday, local authorities said.

Kapoeta South Commissioner Lominit Angelo said the incident occurred at a disputed area between the Toposa and Didinga communities.

“People were extracting gold from the water, and this area is a border point between my two communities of Didinga and Toposa. These gunmen opened fire on the people who were extracting gold and killed five of them on spot, claiming that it was their area,” Angelo said.

According to him, five people were shot dead on spot, while one succumbed to injuries in hospital and a wounded expectant mother died at a cattle camp.

“They injured three others, one of whom died later in the hospital. Among the deceased were 3 women, including a pregnant woman who later died due to an infection in a cattle camp.”

“In total, the number of those killed was 8. First, 5 were killed, and then two people died in the hospital, the pregnant mother and her child.”

Mr Angelo said the gunmen attacked the mining site, just two days after community leaders from the area convened an inter-communal peace dialogue.