Abyei caretaker information minister Ngor told Eye Radio that more than 220 people died in the Oct. 19 drone strike on Amiet Market, as South Sudan summoned Sudan's ambassador in protest.
Ngor earlier put the toll at 153 in comments to The Associated Press, following an initial report of 73 deaths. The strike also hit a fuel depot that Ngor said supplied local businesses; it was still burning Oct. 20. Reuters reported that Ngor said fires hindered the recovery of bodies.
Doctors Without Borders said Ameth Bek Hospital received more than 20 wounded people. Burns were among the injuries, and several patients were in critical condition. Its teams were working there with staff from South Sudan's Health Ministry.
South Sudan's Foreign Ministry accused Sudan's military of hitting several areas of the market, causing civilian casualties and property damage. It summoned Sudan's ambassador and called for disputes over Abyei to be addressed through diplomacy.
An unnamed senior Sudanese military officer told AP that the army struck fuel tankers he claimed were headed for the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. AP said it could not verify his account of the targets or the identities of those killed. Sudan's military did not respond to AP's request for comment.
Sudan and South Sudan both claim Abyei, where Amiet Market serves the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya communities. The question of sovereignty over the region survived both the 2005 peace deal and South Sudan's independence in 2011.
