Archive · 12 Oct 2026
Airstrikes Kill 72 Sudanese Miners; Rights Group Blames Egypt
An airstrike hit a gold-mining site in northern Sudan on Saturday.
Emergency Lawyers says at least 72 miners were killed, but it is still checking the number.
Survivors told AFP that a jet struck the site five times and people ran to escape.
The rights group blamed Egypt’s air force, but the report could not independently confirm that claim and Egypt made no official comment.
The mine is in a resource-rich area claimed by both Sudan and Egypt.
Emergency Lawyers said the strike happened on Sudanese territory.
The site was reportedly struck earlier this year, in June, when 23 workers were killed.
Many miners are feared to have been trapped under rubble.
At least 72 civilian artisanal miners were killed in Saturday’s airstrike at Jabal al-Uqaydat, according to Emergency Lawyers.
The rights group accused Egypt’s air force; the account could not be independently confirmed, and Egypt issued no official comment.
Survivors told AFP that a jet struck five times and workers fled; the final death toll remains unverified.
The attack was the second reported airstrike on the site this year; strikes in June reportedly killed 23 workers.
The mine is in a resource-rich, disputed border region claimed by Sudan and Egypt, and Emergency Lawyers said Saturday’s attack occurred in Sudanese territory.
- Who
- At least 72 civilian artisanal miners were reported killed; Emergency Lawyers accused Egypt’s air force of carrying out the attack.
- What
- An airstrike hit a gold-mining site; the reported casualty toll is preliminary and being verified.
- When
- Saturday; the article does not specify a calendar date. Emergency Lawyers reported the deaths on Sunday.
- Where
- Jabal al-Uqaydat, in the disputed Sudan-Egypt border region known as the Halayeb Triangle.
- Why
- The reason for the strike is not established. Emergency Lawyers alleged a desire by Egyptian authorities to assert control over Sudanese resources; Egypt made no official comment on this attack.
Emergency Lawyers’ allegation
Egypt’s position and response
Responsibility for Saturday’s strike
Emergency Lawyers’ allegation
Emergency Lawyers accused the Egyptian air force of carrying out the attack and said it occurred within Sudanese territory.
Egypt’s position and response
Egypt issued no official comment on the attack; AFP could not independently confirm the account.
Control and security in the border region
Emergency Lawyers’ allegation
Emergency Lawyers said repeated attacks on mineral-rich border areas reflect an effort by Egyptian authorities to expand control over Sudan’s natural resources.
Egypt’s position and response
In June, the Egyptian army said it conducted an operation within Egyptian territory against illegal gold mining and arms smuggling. The article also says Egypt views the war near its border as a major security threat.
- Reported deaths
- At least 72 civilian miners, according to preliminary information from Emergency Lawyers
- Incident
- Airstrike on an artisanal gold-mining site
- Site
- Jabal al-Uqaydat
- Reported strike time
- Around 8:00 am Saturday, according to a survivor
- Accusation
- Emergency Lawyers blamed the Egyptian air force; the account was not independently confirmed
- Earlier attack
- Airstrikes reportedly killed 23 workers at the site in June
- Territorial claims
- The Halayeb Triangle is disputed by Sudan and Egypt; Emergency Lawyers said this attack occurred in Sudanese territory
