Sudan hospital strike kills 64, WHO calls for end to ‘devastating’ conflict

Damaged hospital building in Darfur after an airstrike

HARARE, ZIMBABWE – At least 64 people, including 13 children, were killed in a strike on a hospital in Sudan’s Darfur region, the World Health Organization has confirmed, as international concern mounts over escalating attacks on healthcare facilities in the country’s ongoing war. The attack targeted El-Daein Teaching Hospital in the state capital of East Darfur on Friday, leaving 89 others injured, according to WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

“The hospital was struck, killing at least 64 people, including 13 children, two female nurses, one male doctor, and multiple patients,” Tedros said.

The strike caused extensive damage to critical departments, including paediatric, maternity, and emergency units, effectively shutting down the hospital. Tedros said the facility is now non-functional, resulting in a “critical interruption of essential medical services” in a region already facing severe shortages. Eight healthcare workers were among those injured.

Sudanese rights group Emergency Lawyers reported the strike was carried out by a drone operated by the Sudanese army, though this has not been independently verified. The conflict pits the Sudanese Armed Forces against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which controls much of the Darfur region, including El-Daein. In a statement carried by state media, the army denied targeting civilian infrastructure and instead accused the RSF of routinely attacking public facilities. The WHO’s surveillance system for attacks on healthcare does not assign blame but verifies incidents.

Friday’s strike adds to a growing number of deadly attacks on medical facilities since the war began in April 2023. WHO data shows more than 2,000 people have now been killed in over 200 attacks on healthcare facilities during the conflict.

The trend has worsened sharply:

• 2023: 64 attacks, 38 deaths

• 2024: 72 attacks, 200 deaths

• 2025: 65 attacks, 1,620 deaths

“Beyond the devastating human toll, attacks on healthcare have immediate and long-term consequences for communities already in desperate need,” Tedros said.

The war in Sudan has killed tens of thousands 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 now in need of humanitarian assistance. The United Nations humanitarian office said it was “appalled” by the hospital strike, while UN human rights chief Volker Türk recently warned about the increasing use of drones in populated areas.

Tedros renewed calls for an immediate de-escalation of the conflict and protection of civilians and medical workers.

“Health care should never be a target. Peace is the best medicine,” he said.“Enough blood has been spilled. Enough suffering has been inflicted.”

Sudan hospital attack Darfur