Over 21 killed in gun attack in South Sudan

At least 21 people have been killed and several others injured in South Sudan's Yei town after unknown gunmen attacked a convoy of four vehicles carrying displaced persons, officials confirmed on Monday.

Jacob Lem Chan, Information Minister of Eastern Nile State where most of the victims come from, said the attack took place in the border town on Saturday.

He said 21 people including women and young children were shot and burnt in the truck which carried about 200 passengers.

He said 20 injured persons have been brought to Juba for medical attention while many still remain unaccounted for.

"We lost 21 people and we buried them in mass grave on Sunday. There are people who escaped and are still wandering in bushes and there are also bodies trapped in the burning vehicle. So we don't know the real number of people killed yet," Chan told Xinhua by phone.

Police spokesperson Daniel Justine Bolo blamed the attack on opposition forces loyal to former vice president Riek Machar.

South Sudan have suffered a series of road attacks since renewed fighting broke out between rival army factions in July. Endit