Sudan rights group reports 41 killed near Blue Nile displacement site
An earlier regional count put the toll at 30. The RSF has been blamed by local groups but responsibility has not been independently established.
A drone strike near a site sheltering displaced people in Sudan’s Blue Nile state killed 41, including eight children, the Emergency Lawyers group said on Saturday. Its figure is higher than the 30 deaths reported on Friday by the regional government. Both counts are attributed and may change as information emerges from Abu Shandi, close to the Ethiopian border.
What happened
Sudan Tribune reported that civilians prospecting for gold near the Abu Shandi camp in Wad al-Mahi were hit on Friday, citing local sources. The regional government said dozens were wounded. The UN humanitarian office told Associated Press it was appalled by reports of the strike and the injuries.
Responsibility remains contested
Emergency Lawyers and local authorities blamed the Rapid Support Forces, which have fought Sudan’s army since 2023. An RSF spokesperson did not answer AP’s request for comment. The reports reviewed here do not independently establish who launched the drone or why the civilians were hit. The claim requires investigation rather than a premature finding of guilt.
Why this matters
Families who have fled fighting are exposed again near a place of refuge. The strike comes amid repeated drone attacks in Blue Nile, raising urgent questions about civilian protection, medical access and accountability. The lead photograph is from a displacement camp in Tawila, North Darfur, in August 2025; it does not show Abu Shandi or the victims of this attack.
Sources & verification
Sources checked: 10 October 2026
.jpg){kind=link}
