JUBA, South Sudan: A gold mining row on the outskirts of the capital over the weekend led to gunmen massacring more than 70 people in South Sudan, police said.

A video showing dozens of dead bodies lying on the ground was shared online. A local journalist said many other victims may have run into nearby bushes to escape.

The gold mining site at Jebel Iraq in Central Equatoria State has seen violent clashes before, often involving illegal miners. Gold mining in South Sudan is largely unregulated, with state governments managing their own mining activities rather than following national oversight.

Police spokesperson Kwacijwok Dominic Amondoc said he would provide more details once he has full information. For now, he said, unknown gunmen attacked the gold mine at Jebel Iraq, killing more than 70 people and injuring many others.

The opposition group, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army–In Opposition (SPLM/A-IO), condemned the attack and blamed government forces, known as the SSPDF. They said the SSPDF fully controls the area, so the responsibility for the killings lies with them.

An army spokesperson told The Associated Press that he could not comment on the incident.

A local rights group, the Nile Institute for the Study of Human Rights and Transitional Justice, also condemned the attack and called for better governance and monitoring in areas rich in natural resources. The group said the incident shows a serious violation of the right to life and highlights how vulnerable civilians are in places with weak security and poorly regulated mining.

Human rights activist Edmund Yakani urged the government to act and stop growing conflicts between communities over natural resources. He called on authorities to end illegal gold mining across the country.

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