WHO highlights reports of over 460 people killed in Sudan hospital

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GENEVA - The World Health Organisation said Wednesday it was appalled at reports of more than 460 patients and their companions being killed at a hospital in the Sudanese city of El-Fasher.

The capture of El-Fasher on Sunday after an 18-month siege marked by starvation and bombardment has solidified the Rapid Support Forces' (RSF) control over Darfur, sparking fears of ethnically-motivated violence reminiscent of the region's darkest days.

"WHO is appalled and deeply shocked by reports of the tragic killing of more than 460 patients and companions at Saudi Maternity Hospital in El-Fasher, Sudan, following recent attacks and the abduction of health workers," the UN health agency's chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement.

"All attacks on health care must stop immediately and unconditionally," he said, calling for a ceasefire.

"All patients, health personnel and health facilities must be protected under international humanitarian law," he said.

The International Committee of the Red Cross said it was "deeply alarmed and profoundly shocked" by growing reports of "horrifying atrocities and immense suffering to which people from El-Fasher are being subjected".

Tedros said that prior to the maternity hospital attack, the WHO had verified 185 attacks on health care in Sudan, with 1,204 deaths and 416 injuries of health workers and patients since the conflict began in April 2023.

Of those, 49 occurred this year, killing 966 people.

While the WHO counts and verifies attacks on health care, it does not attribute blame.

Late Tuesday, Tedros said the WHO had received reports about the abduction of four doctors, a nurse and a pharmacist from the Saudi hospital in El-Fasher.

He called for their release and for humanitarian access to deliver health aid.