The government has declared three days of national mourning for the dead victims of fire in Maridi County Western Equatoria State.

More than 160 people were burnt to death on Wednesday, after a truck loaded with fuel over turned in Mambe junction.

A crowd of residents had gathered to draw fuel from the truck.

The Minister of Information and Broadcasting Michael Makuei said according to the reports received from Maridi, the death toll has risen.

He said flags will be raised at half-mast at national level.

“The Government of the Republic of South Sudan expresses its concerns on this unfortunate incident that took place in Maridi. Based on that, the President and the Government of Republic of South Sudan has decided to declare a three days mourning, with effect from today because those who died in Western Equatoria are a South Sudanese,” he said.

However, he says the three days of mourning will not interrupt work schedules. He urged both civil servants and the other private institutions to continue with their normal routines.