The death toll from raids by cattle thieves in Bul East County of Northern Liech State has risen from 19 to 24, a government official said Thursday.

"The number of people killed in the cattle raid incident on Tuesday has increased to 24. About 60 people have sustained injuries," Northern Liech’s minister of information Lam Tungwar told Radio Tamazuj this morning.

He added,"The majority of the victims in the attack were women and children."

Lam further said there were many people made homeless by the violent attack in the area of Loat in Bul East County. “Many people are still missing,” he said.

The state minister said that five cattle raiders from neighboring Tonj state were killed in the fighting.

Lam, who is also the state government spokesman, urged the relevant authorities in Tonj state to control cattle raids saying the practice will cause conflicts between communities living in the region.

Incidents of cattle raids have increased in recent months in many parts of South Sudan, with cattle raiders attacking homes, killing people and burning property.

Livestock herding is the main source of income in many areas of South Sudan.