At least 16 people have been killed after fighting in crisis-torn South Sudan spilled onto two of the country’s oil fields – with British and foreign workers in the country now being evacuated.
Around 200 foreign oil workers are being removed from oil fields in the country, after seeking refuge at the UN’s base in the Bentiu region.
Petronas, ONGC Videsh and China’s National Petroleum corporation have operations in the region.
The South Sudanese government said that five people had been killed on fighting on the Unity oil field,and a further 11 this morning on the Thar Jath field, north of Juba.
The Foreign Office has already send an aircraft to South Sudan to evacuate more than 150 Britons looking to leave the country, where more than 500 people have already been killed in fighting between rival factions.
“A UK aircraft is en route to Juba to evacuate British nationals who wish to leave from Juba airport on Thursday 19 December,” a spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said.
“If you are a British national and you wish to leave Juba you should contact the FCO as soon as possible.
“To date over 150 British nationals have contacted us, many of whom want help leaving the country.”
South Sudan has been plagued by ethnic violence since breaking away from neighbouring Sudan two years ago.
Britain has already withdrawn some of its embassy staff, although the embassy remains open for now.
Any British nationals seeking to leave South Sudan are urged to contact the FO in London for advice, by calling 0207 008 1500 or by emailing crisis@fco.gsi.gov.uk.