KHARTOUM, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Drone attacks hit a major power station on Thursday in River Nile State of northern Sudan, killing two members of the Civil Defense team and disrupting electricity supply in several states, the Sudan Electricity Holding Company announced.
"Al-Mogran Power Station in the city of Atbara, River Nile State, was attacked on Thursday by drones, resulting in the death of two Civil Defense personnel," the company said in a statement, noting that Civil Defense forces are making intensive efforts to extinguish the fire and contain the damage.
The company added that the "power supply transformers sustained direct damage, leading to power outages in a number of states." According to eyewitnesses, electricity was cut off in Khartoum State, the Northern State in northern Sudan, and the Red Sea State in eastern Sudan.
An eyewitness at Atbara Hospital told Xinhua that three members of the Civil Defense were injured and are receiving treatment at the hospital.
Another eyewitness said that two simultaneous attacks targeted the power station and the Civil Defense headquarters located near the facility. Videos circulating online show columns of smoke rising over the city of Atbara from the vicinity of the power station.
Drone attacks have been escalating, typically targeting military sites and vital infrastructure in areas under the control of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).
Sudan has been engulfed in a deadly conflict since April 15, 2023, when fighting broke out between the SAF and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, leaving tens of thousands dead and millions displaced within the country and across its borders. ■
