The death toll from the latest upsurge in fighting in Wau town, nothwastern South Sudan on Monday morning has risen to 25, according to a medical source.

The UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan said that at least 11 civilians were killed after fighting spread to Wau town on Monday morning. Eyewitnesses reported that government-aligned militia were targeting local residents based on their ethnicity in residential areas.

The source, who preferred anonymity, told Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday that the Wau Teaching Hospital had received 25 dead bodies and 11 wounded civilians after the recent events in Wau town.

The doctor pointed out that there is a shortage of medical cadres and blood supplies at the hospital where wounded civilians are receiving medical treatment due to the violence.

He explained that the lack of the blood is affecting surgery operations of the wounded people.

Separately, Natalina Andrea, Coordinator of Peace and Justice Commission at Catholic Church in Wau, said the conflict-displaced people, mostly women and children who had sought refuge at the Catholic Church are suffering due to lack of drinking water.

“A large number of people are now sheltering inside the church, those people are suffering. They have a problem of water because the weather is hot, the children are suffering badly,” said Natalina.

She pointed out that people are still fleeing to the UN Protection of Civilians site (PoC) due to security fears in Wau town.

Photo: Civilians displaced by violence in Wau, 26 June 2016 (UNMISS)