The Minister of Information in Eastern Nile State has confirmed that at least eight people have been killed during violence that erupted at the UN camp in Malakal on Wednesday.

Jacob Lam says three of the wounded people who were taken to a hospital died while five were killed inside the UN camp.

UNMISS has confirmed that five people have been killed and some 40 others wounded.

Both UNMISS and the state government say the violence broke out among armed youth from two communities inside the camp.

“If you were able to view right from Juba what is happening in Malakal, you would see smoke rising from… the camp,” Mr Lam told Eye Radio.

In a statement, UNMISS condemned the incident, saying such attacks against civilians and UN premises may constitute a war crime.

There are more than 47,000 people at the UN base in the area. They sought protection at the camp after the outbreak of the conflict in December 2013.