At least 72 Sudanese gold miners killed in strike blamed on Egypt

At least 72 Sudanese gold miners lost their lives in an air strike allegedly carried out by neighboring Egypt, according to three Sudanese groups. Emergency Lawyers, a coalition of pro-democracy groups, and Sudan Doctors Network each denounced the strike and accused the Sudanese government of failing to protect its people and maintain territorial integrity.

All three groups stated the strike occurred within Sudan's borders, emphasizing that the targeting of civilians was unjustifiable. Sudan Doctors Network reported 72 fatalities, while Sudan Doctors Network initially claimed 13 dead and 28 wounded, warning that the death toll would likely rise. Neither the Sudanese nor Egyptian governments have officially commented on the incident.

Eyewitnesses in Egypt confirmed the strike took place at dawn on Saturday, targeting illegal gold prospectors who had been warned to leave the area but refused. A leaflet dropped by Egyptian aircraft warned the miners of imminent targeting unless they surrendered their equipment, and images purportedly showing the aftermath of the strike have circulated online.

The gold rush in northern Sudan, fueled by the civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, has led to an influx of illegal miners seeking alternative income. Egypt claims to have arrested 87 Egyptians and 136 foreigners involved in illegal gold prospecting and drug trafficking operations. Gold production in Sudan has long been a contentious issue, with estimates suggesting that only a fraction of the 70 tonnes produced in 2025 were exported, with the remainder smuggled out of the country or processed locally.