Two children were reported missing after a fire swept through Amiet market in the Abyei Area on Friday, local authorities said.
The blaze destroyed dozens of grass-thatched shops and their contents in the congested market, which serves as a major trading hub between South Sudan and Sudan.
Osman Chol, the Abyei chairperson of the chamber of commerce, told Radio Tamazuj that the fire broke out around midday and started in two locations, though the cause remains unknown.
“All goods, services and petroleum products were destroyed,” Chol said, adding that small-scale traders, including women who rely on selling tea and local brews, suffered heavy losses.
He said two children were believed to have been trapped in the structures and could not be found after the fire was extinguished.
“We heard of two children who were not found in the ashes. Investigations are ongoing, as the incident has just occurred and the flames were still hot,” Chol said.
Abyei Information Minister Yohana Akol confirmed the fire and said it started in the northern part of the market before spreading.
He added that a separate fire last weekend also destroyed shops and six residential houses in Amethbeek village, while strong winds helped fuel another blaze that damaged property in Abyei town.
Akol praised local youth for preventing the fire from spreading further.
Amiet market has suffered repeated fire incidents in recent years. Local officials say the area lacks firefighting equipment and emergency response capacity, making it difficult to contain such outbreaks.