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500 killed, 700 injured in South Sudan, official says

Associated Press
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In this handout image provided by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, taken on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, a United Nation soldier stands guard as civilians arrive at the UNMISS compound adjacent to Juba International Airport to take refuge. Sporadic gunfire rang out in the capital, Juba, overnight as the military "cleared out remnants" of a faction of soldiers accused of mounting a coup attempt, the country's foreign minister said Tuesday amid an ongoing hunt for the former deputy president who is accused of leading the failed plot. (AP Photo/UNMISS/Rolla Hinedi) (The Associated Press)

In this handout image provided by the United Nations Mission South Sudan, taken on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, civilians arrive at the UNMISS compound adjacent to Juba International Airport to take refuge. Sporadic gunfire rang out in the capital, Juba, overnight as the military "cleared out remnants" of a faction of soldiers accused of mounting a coup attempt, the country's foreign minister said Tuesday amid an ongoing hunt for the former deputy president who is accused of leading the failed plot. (AP Photo/UNMISS/Rolla Hinedi) (The Associated Press)

In this handout image provided by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, taken on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013, a United Nation soldier stands guard as civilians arrive at the UNMISS compound adjacent to Juba International Airport to take refuge. Sporadic gunfire rang out in the capital, Juba, overnight as the military "cleared out remnants" of a faction of soldiers accused of mounting a coup attempt, the country's foreign minister said Tuesday amid an ongoing hunt for the former deputy president who is accused of leading the failed plot. (AP Photo/UNMISS/Rolla Hinedi) (The Associated Press)

South Sudan's information minister says at least 500 people, most of them soldiers, have been killed in violence following what the government said was an alleged coup attempt Sunday.

Micheal Makuei Lueth told The Associated Press on Wednesday that some of the victims "were shot in the bushes" around Juba. He cited a report compiled by the minister of defense.

He said up to 700 others had been wounded. He offered no other details, saying he was awaiting more information from the Ministry of Health.

The violence appears to pit soldiers loyal to President Salva Kiir against those who are loyal to former Vice President Riek Machar.