On Saturday, 2026-10-11, jets struck a popular gold mining area in Sudan’s River Nile state. Emergency Lawyers, a regional rights group, said the attack killed at least seventy-two civilians who were engaged in artisanal gold mining. The group described the victims as unarmed civilians working at the site.
The Paris‑based Sudan Tribune reported that the death toll could be far higher than the number given by Emergency Lawyers. The outlet cited a survivor of the Saturday attack who said many more people had been injured in the strike, suggesting the true toll might exceed the initial count.
Also on 2026-10-11, Egypt announced a security campaign aimed at combating illegal mining and smuggling along its border with Sudan.
On the same date, Sudan’s de facto leader announced an investigation into alleged strikes similar to the one that hit the River Nile site.
On the same date, Sudan’s de facto leader announced an investigation into alleged strikes similar to the one that hit the River Nile site.
Emergency Lawyers warned that the deliberate targeting of unarmed civilians violates international humanitarian law and the right to life, and that such acts may constitute war crimes.
Five missiles were fired at the miners’ camps during the attack. The missiles struck the area where the artisanal miners were working, leading to the casualties reported by Emergency Lawyers.
The group alleged the jets targeted unpermitted miners, a practice that has surged due to Sudan's ongoing civil war.
Sudan's de facto leader announced an investigation into alleged strikes on 2026-10-11. Emergency Lawyers warned that the deliberate targeting of unarmed civilians violates international humanitarian law and the right to life, and that such acts may constitute war crimes.