ABOUT 70 people were killed in an attack on the only functioning hospital in the besieged Sudanese city of El Fasher, World Health Organisation director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus confirmed today.

Saturday’s attack on the Saudi Teaching Maternal Hospital, which local officials blamed on the rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF), also injured 19.

It came as the group was facing apparent battlefield losses to the Sudanese military and allied forces under the command of army chief General Abdel-Fattah Burhan.

Mr Tedros wrote on X: “The appalling attack on Saudi Hospital in El Fasher led to 19 injuries and 70 deaths among patients and companions.

“At the time of the attack, the hospital was packed with patients receiving care.”

A health facility in al-Malha was also attacked on Saturday, he added.

“We continue to call for a cessation of all attacks on healthcare in Sudan and to allow full access for the swift restoration of the facilities that have been damaged,” he said.

“Above all, Sudan’s people need peace. The best medicine is peace.”

The RSF did not immediately acknowledge the attack in El Fasher, which is now estimated to be home to more than one million people, many of whom have been displaced by the war.