Three women are receiving treatment for burn injuries after they were surrounded by a wildfire while collecting thatch grass in Rumbek East County of Lakes State, officials said.
The incident happened at the Bun-angui forest, 12 miles from Rumbek East County on Thursday.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Rumbek State hospital administrator Mawet Bol Madit said that the women are responding to treatment.
“The three women went to Bun-angui forest to fetch thatch grass for their houses. While they were cutting grass they saw a wild bush fire coming toward them and other fire burning behind them, and they got themselves surrounded by the wildfire, and this is where three of them got burned,” he said. “There are medicines available to treat them. We have anti-burn drugs and anti-biotic medicines for them, and their condition is well,” he said.
One of the victims with severe burns, Ayor Majok, narrates her ordeal.
“My whole body is burnt, my legs, arms, and even my buttocks. The worst part is that when I saw the wildfire coming toward us and behind us, we separated, and I ran to the nearby bush and climbed a tree. When the fire came to where I was, I got scared and fell on the burning bush,” she said. I have small children, and I pray that God spares my life.”
Cholhok Arop Mapuor, another survivor said the fire spread o the nearby village and burnt six houses.