The authorities in the Western Equatoria State capital, Yambio, confirmed that a grenade explosion on Tuesday morning injured a pregnant woman and three children.
Yambio Town Mayor John Singira told Radio Tamazuj that the incident occurred at around 9 a.m. when three children were playing in a compound and a pregnant woman was nearby peeling cassava.
“The grenade exploded injuring the woman and the children,” he said. “The woman is in critical condition, and we are appealing to the Red Cross to assist in transporting her to Juba for specialized medical care. Her survival depends on urgent intervention.”
The mayor added that investigations are ongoing but noted the lack of witnesses to explain how the grenade ended up in the compound. He emphasized that soldiers in the municipality should only carry weapons while on duty.
“Soldiers moving with guns unnecessarily must stay in their designated locations to prevent such incidents from happening to vulnerable civilians,” Singira stated.
An eyewitness, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the tragic scene. “The grenade was buried in the compound. The children were playing, and the woman was working nearby when it exploded. It is by God’s grace that she is still alive.”
The explosion caused serious injuries to one child, who suffered a severe leg wound while the others sustained bruises.
The authorities have urged the community to remain calm as investigations continue.