Akobo River in Jonglei State. (Photo: Courtesy).

At least 11 people have died and four others injured after two boats collided in Akobo River of Jonglei State early this week, a government official said.

This is the deadliest boat accident in the country this year.

The State Information Minister John Samuel Manyuon said the incident occurred on Tuesday night.

Manyuon said the boats were rowing without lights when they collided head-on – leaving a dozen dead and four others injured. But the survivors are reportedly in stable condition.

Manyuon told Eye Radio, the injured were rescued and taken to Ethiopia for treatment as the accident was nearer to the neighboring country.

“It happened on the 1^st of October at Akobo River. There was a boat coming from Ethiopia’s side to Akobo and there was one from South Sudan’s Akobo to Ethiopia. So, they happened to collide because it was night and they weren’t having lights,” said the information minister.

“This resulted in the death of eleven people and four wounded who were later taken back to the Ethiopian side for treatment since it was near compared to this side.”

“The situation currently is calm because it is just an incident that happened and there is a pending investigation.”

This is not the first-time boats have collided in Jonglei state killing travelers at night.

In July this year, two boats traveling without light collided north of Bor town resulting in the death of one person and the injury of five, with four others unaccounted for.

The ill-fated boats were loaded with merchandise and people.

Also in September this year, seven people died after a boat capsized in floodwaters on Thursday in Aweil Center County of Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal State.

The boat was ferrying 20 flood affected people from Majak Baai, Aweil North County to Marial Baai in Aweil West County when it overturned.