Teenage girl dies of severe burn in Aweil South fire incident

AWEIL – A 15-year-old girl has died after sustaining severe burns in a fire incident in Wath-cum Boma of Wath-muok Payam in Aweil South County in South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.

According to the County Information Director, Simon Lual Buk, the tragic incident occurred on Tuesday when a man identified as Achuil Apeth allegedly set fire to grass near the home of the deceased. The flames quickly spread and engulfed the surrounding area, catching the young girl as she was on her way to visit a friend.

“The man from her neighbourhood set fire to a grassy area near her house. Unfortunately, the fire spread rapidly and caught her. She sustained severe burns and was rushed to Aweil Civil Hospital, where she passed away at around 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday,” Buk told Sudans Post in an interview on Thursday.

He identified the deceased as Abak Deng and said the community was deeply shocked by her untimely death. “The incident took everyone by surprise. She was young, active, and a great support to her family,” he added.

Buk confirmed that the suspect is currently in police custody and will face interrogation once investigations are completed. He said preparations for the funeral were underway at the family’s home in Wath-cum Boma.

Paramount Chief Ayom Akol Wek of Aweil South County urged residents to act responsibly as the dry season begins, warning that uncontrolled burning of vegetation poses serious risks to both life and property.

“People should never burn grass or vegetation at random,” the chief said. “This reckless act has taken the life of a young girl who was very resourceful to her family. Her death has left a big gap that will not be easy to fill.”

He further urged residents to seek guidance from village elders or local leaders before carrying out activities that may endanger the environment or the community.

Residents say cases of fire outbreaks tend to rise sharply between November and January as strong winds spread flames through dry grasslands, markets, and residential areas. Over the years, several traders in Northern Bahr el Ghazal have lost shops and property to such fires during the dry season.