The attack in Abyei, which borders West Kordofan, took place on Monday around 11:30 native time (09:30 GMT) concentrating on Amiet Market around 10km (six miles) from Abyei city, the area’s Information Minister Yohana Akol Ngor informed Radio Tamazuj, which broadcasts from the Netherlands to audiences on the Sudan-South Sudan border.

On Tuesday, the minister confirmed to the Associated Press and Reuters that the loss of life toll had risen from 73 to 153 folks.

“It is a horrible and shocking situation,” AP quotes him as saying.

BBC Verify has studied satellite tv for pc pictures that present intensive burnt buildings in the north-east nook of Amiet Market, which is also recognized in Arabic as Al-Na’am Market. Older pictures from the space present it is often full of vehicles.

It has also verified footage filmed close to the market that exhibits a giant plume of smoke, at least one petrol tanker and someone speaking about 5 missiles being fired. Another verified video exhibits two huge, separate fires coming from buildings close to that part of the market.

“The market was completely destroyed. The bombing spread terror and fear among the local population,” market dealer Fadlallah Adam Hamouda informed BBC Arabic’s Middle East Daily.

Another dealer informed the BBC the attack had come as shock as UN peacekeepers have been in Abyei since 2011 – with more than 2,800 uniformed personnel presently deployed.

“Our area is a weapons-free zone under United Nations protection, yet it was targeted by drones,” he said.

“The attack caused extensive material damage after the fuel market was struck, sparking a massive fire that spread to nearby homes.”