A woman has been hospitalized after entering a hazardous oil waste disposal site containing contaminated waste and other potentially dangerous materials in Rubkona County, Unity State.
Unity State Minister of Information, Nyakenya Yohannes, confirmed the incident, saying the woman was found inside the waste disposal area among garbage and oil-related waste.
According to the minister, the woman did not accidentally fall into the site but entered the area herself.
“It is true that she entered the site, although she did not fall into it. She entered it herself,” Nyakenya said.
The minister said rescuers found several strings and pieces of garbage tied around the woman’s hands and legs when they reached her inside the waste area.
The woman, whose identity has not been released, was rescued and taken to a nearby health facility for treatment.
She remains in critical condition but is alive, according to the minister.
Authorities are reportedly coordinating her possible transfer to a hospital in Bentiu, where she could receive further medical attention.
Nyakenya said authorities suspect the woman may be experiencing mental health challenges, although this has not been independently established.
The incident has raised concerns over public access to oil waste disposal areas and the safety measures in place around sites containing contaminated and hazardous materials.
Authorities have yet to provide further details on how the woman entered the restricted area or whether additional measures will be introduced to prevent similar incidents.
