Renk depot explosions injure civilians and soldiers
South Sudan's army blames high temperatures for blasts at ammunition depots in Upper Nile State.
Explosions at the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) First Division ammunition depots in Renk town, Upper Nile State, injured civilians and soldiers on Thursday night. The blasts occurred around 9 p.m. at the Jamus headquarters, starting at the armoured unit’s storage facility and spreading to the artillery depot.
Major General Kulang Mayen, commander of the SSPDF First Division, stated that high temperatures, reaching 43 degrees Celsius on Thursday, may have triggered the explosions, ruling out external interference. Renk Civil Hospital treated civilians for shrapnel wounds, and an investigative committee has been formed to determine the exact cause.
The successive blasts caused panic among residents near the military headquarters, with explosions heard across the town. Local authorities reported that the situation had calmed, and patrols were assessing conditions, though the exact number of injured and the extent of damage were not yet officially confirmed.