Air strikes kill dozens of gold miners on Sudan-Egypt border

At least 72 gold miners lost their lives in air strikes conducted on the disputed Sudan-Egypt border, according to a human rights group. The attack, which took place south of the remote Halayeb triangle near the River Nile, marks the second such incident this year. The region, known for mining activities and the illicit gold trade, lies within Sudan, a claim supported by the Sudan-based Emergency Lawyers, a human rights and legal advocacy organization.

The Egyptian air force is accused of carrying out the strikes, reflecting Egypt's intent to expand control over Sudan's natural resources. Independent verification is challenging due to the remote location. The Sudan Doctors Network warned of an anticipated rise in casualties due to the severity of injuries and the lack of access to medical care and essential services.

One survivor reported thousands of people were working at the site when it was hit, leading to uncertainty over the exact number of fatalities. The ongoing conflict between Sudan's military junta and the Rapid Support Forces has already claimed over 200,000 lives and created a severe humanitarian crisis. Egypt, despite backing Sudan's army chief, views the conflict as a security threat, leading to a large-scale security operation in June that resulted in hundreds of arrests, primarily for illegal gold mining and smuggling.