Two children died of suffocation after becoming trapped in an abandoned fire brigade truck in Rumbek Town, Lakes State, local authorities said.
The victims, identified as Mawet Buong, 8, and Majak Deng, 5, were found dead inside the vehicle following a search by their families. The incident occurred in a fire brigade compound where the truck had been unused for several years.
Acting Police Commissioner Enock Majok Machar told Radio Tamazuj Sunday that the children were discovered by fire brigade personnel on Thursday after hours of searching. “The vehicle was old and damaged, with no oxygen supply. The children likely suffocated after the windows closed,” he said.
The police officer has ruled out foul play but said further investigations could be conducted if necessary.
A postmortem examination at Rumbek State Hospital confirmed the cause of death as oxygen deprivation.
Dr. Terran Madit Terran, the hospital’s medical director, said the bodies showed minor bruises but no signs of physical assault. “The children were in a closed vehicle for hours, which could have led to heatstroke and organ failure,” he added.
Witnesses said one of the children, who had a mental health condition, opened the car door, allowing the group to enter. The vehicle’s windows reportedly jammed, trapping them inside.
Civil society activist Daniel Laat Kon called the incident a tragic reminder of the need for greater child safety. “This is a wake-up call for parents and car owners to be more vigilant,” he said, urging communities to take extra precautions to protect children.