WFP completes first food delivery by boat in Upper Nile State in 2018. | Photo: UN.

At least ten people died when a stationary boat loaded with relief supplies was fired at between Juba and Mangala by unknown attackers, according to members of parliament representing  Unity state at the national legislature.

The incident happened on Tuesday while the boat loaded with humanitarian supplies was due to set off for Unity state.

“The boat started to move from Gabat around 2 PM and in fact, it happened that it stuck in the riverside and the reason was because of the shallowness of the river,” said  Badit Dak, a member of parliament representing Leer County of Unity State.

“When that happened, those criminals came and asked for assistance and the assistance was given to them by the passengers,

“After they were given the assistance they needed, they were given money and some items, and then after moving a distance they shot at those on the boat,” he added.

The lawmakers have identified the victims as Luony Garech, Bol Tech Nhial, Bachuoi Tech Nhial, Gatgong Wang Dhieu, Chonath Dieu Kor, Gatkuoth Bap, Gatchiang Detor Kai, Paulino Madit Dut, Gatkuoth Yaka, and one unknown.

One person is reported to have survived the attack.

Badit Dak, a member of parliament representing Leer County of Unity State in the Revitalized Transitional National Legislative Assembly spoke on behalf of his colleagues in Juba earlier today.

He narrated to reporters what happened.

The MPs have condemned the incident and are calling for an immediate investigations to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“We really condemn as people’s representatives in the strongest terms possible this criminal act,

“And we urge the state government and the national government at the same time and the security organs to look for these criminals and bring them to book as soon as possible so that the law take it to cause,

Attempts to reach the police for comment were unsuccessful.