Explosions at military depot in Renk injure civilians and soldiers
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Eye Radio
Explosions at the South Sudanese army’s First Division ammunition depots in Renk injured several civilians and soldiers. General Kulang Mayen believes high temperatures may have caused the fire, with no preliminary sign of outside involvement, while an investigation is under way, Eye Radio reports.
Explosions injured civilians and soldiers on Thursday 29 October at around 9pm at the ammunition depots of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) First Division in Renk, Upper Nile State. Major General Kulang Mayen, the division’s commander, told Eye Radio that temperatures of up to 43 degrees Celsius may have triggered the fire.
The fire started in the armoured unit’s ammunition depot before spreading to the artillery depot, causing several types of ammunition to explode. Civilians injured by shrapnel were admitted to Renk Civil Hospital, while the blasts caused panic among residents living near the military headquarters, known as Jamus.
General Kulang Mayen said initial investigations had found no external involvement. A commission of inquiry had been established, and soldiers present near the depots when the fire began were being questioned. The local security committee later carried out patrols and inspections in the town, according to local authorities cited by Eye Radio.
