Hand grenade

A grenade explosion killed a 12-year-old boy and injured an 8-year-old boy on Sunday, according to the Commissioner of Aweil North in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.

Kiir Chan told Eye Radio an exclusive interview this morning that the incident occurred on Sunday at around 5PM at Kodi residential area in Malual Center Payam of Aweil North County.

According to him, the boys he identified as Ngor Mayar Deng and Ngor Ngor Deng had found the grenade at a water point when it exploited.

The explosion killed 12-year-old Ngor Mayar on spot, injuring eight-year-old Ngor Ngor.

“Today [ Sunday] a grenade accident occurred in Malual Center Payam in Aweil North County, which led to the death of a 12-year-old child named Ngor Mayar Deng Yel, who died immediately, and an 8-year-old child named Ngor Ngor Ken was injured, with a wound in his mouth and leg”, he said.

Commission Chan said the critically injured boy is being treated at Aweil Civil Hospital.

He described the incident as tragic, highlighting the dangerous remnants of conflict and the risks posed by unexploded ordnance, especially in regions with a history of violence.

” I am appealing to the citizens and all the children that if there’s any metallic item you found, please don’t touch it because this maybe grenade”, he added.

South Sudan is still faced with dangerous unexploded ordinances since its independent in 2011.