Juba-Rumbek Highway. (Photo: Visit South Sudan).

Warrap Minister of Information reported that a car overturned along the Juba Bahr El Ghazal Highway on Tuesday killing two people and injuring several others as the travelers were headed for Christmas celebration in the state.

William Wol Mayom stated that the unnamed victims were young men traveling from Juba to Warrap for the festive season and to attend a sports tournament called “Aguok Kuei Olympics.”

Upon reaching Lakes State, at midnight, Mayom said a Toyota Hardtop carrying the local tournament’s organizing committee overturned leaving one dead on spots, with several others injured.

He said the wounded persons were rushed to Mapuordit Hospital when one later succumbs to death. The information minister termed the deadly accident regrettable.

“Unfortunately, we lost many young men who were coming to celebrate with their loved ones. We heard they were traveling at night from Juba to Kuajok and they were proceeding to Aguok for what they termed Aguok Olympics which they have organized to come and play within the community here.”

“Unfortunately, we heard around at 3 AM in the morning that the car has overturned between Yirol and Rumbek in Lakes and unfortunately one person was confirmed dead on spots and the body was rushed to Rumbek and the other injured were taken to Mapuordit for further medication.”

“The following day also, we heard another person who was critically injured passed on also or succumbs to the injuries. So, two people now have reportedly killed during this incident.”

Minister Mayom said however that the Christmas celebration was generally peaceful and that no other crime or insecurity incident was recorded in the state’s six counties.

On Tuesday, the state government said it deployed heavy security forces to protect Christians and peacefully celebrate the birth of Christ in all its six counties and the headquarters.