At least 18 people were killed in armed conflict that erupted last night in the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) civilian protection site in Malakal, South Sudan, the organization said in a statement on Friday.

The victims include two South Sudanese staff members of Doctors Without Borders, who were attacked inside their homes.

Teams worked through the night to treat 36 wounded people at the organization hospital in Malakal.

At least 25 patients had suffered gunshot wounds and eight required surgery. More casualties are continuing to arrive today.

The violence initially forced about 600 people, mostly women and children, to gather inside the hospital.

People have been sheltering in the Protection of Civilians site in Malakal since the conflict erupted in the area in December 2013.

The number of people there has increased to 40,000, following an influx of 10,000 displaced people in April 2015 and a further 16,000 in July and August 2015.

Source: MENA