At least 64 people have been killed and 89 others injured following a strike on a hospital in Sudan’s East Darfur region, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), in one of the deadliest attacks on healthcare facilities since the conflict began.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirmed that the attack, which occurred on Friday, targeted El-Daein Teaching Hospital in the regional capital. Among those killed were 13 children, two female nurses, one male doctor, and several patients.
“The hospital was struck, killing at least 64 people,” Tedros said, adding that “enough blood has been spilled” and calling for an end to the nearly three-year conflict devastating Sudan.
Hospital Rendered Non-Functional
The strike caused extensive damage to critical hospital departments, including paediatric, maternity, and emergency units. The WHO reported that the facility is now non-operational, leading to a severe disruption of essential medical services in the area.
Eight healthcare workers were also among the injured, further straining an already overwhelmed health system. The WHO said it is working with local partners to scale up services at nearby facilities, including deploying trauma supplies and essential medicines to address urgent needs.
Conflicting Claims Over Responsibility
Sudanese rights group Emergency Lawyers alleged that the strike was carried out by an army drone. However, the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) denied targeting healthcare facilities, stating that it adheres to international law and accusing the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of routinely attacking civilian infrastructure.
The WHO’s Surveillance System for Attacks on Health Care (SSA), which tracks such incidents, does not assign responsibility but confirmed the scale and severity of the attack.
Rising Toll on Healthcare in Sudan
The United Nations humanitarian office described the incident as “appalling,” highlighting a growing pattern of attacks on healthcare facilities since the war erupted in April 2023.
According to WHO data, more than 2,000 people have now been killed in 213 verified attacks on healthcare facilities during the conflict. The figures indicate a sharp escalation, with 2025 alone accounting for 1,620 deaths representing 82 percent of global fatalities from such attacks.
“Beyond the devastating human toll, attacks on health care have immediate and long-term consequences for communities already in desperate need,” Tedros said. “Health care should never be a target. Peace is the best medicine.”
Worsening Humanitarian Crisis
The conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF has intensified in recent months, with drone strikes becoming increasingly frequent, particularly in Darfur and other contested regions.
The war has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced more than 11 million people, creating what the United Nations describes as the world’s largest displacement and hunger crisis. More than 33 million people are currently in need of humanitarian assistance.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk recently condemned the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, noting a surge in civilian casualties from drone strikes.
As violence continues to escalate, international agencies are renewing calls for de-escalation and the protection of civilians and medical personnel.
“Enough suffering has been inflicted,” Tedros said. “The time has come to de-escalate the conflict in Sudan and ensure the protection of civilians, health workers, and humanitarians.”
