Gunmen have killed more than 160 people, mostly civilians, in a pre-dawn attack on a camp in South Sudan, news agencies are reporting.

Eleven soldiers from the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) who were guarding the camp were killed. Goi Jooyul Yol, a local leader, estimated that an additional 100 women and 50 children were killed. Twenty-nine people, including three soldiers, were injured.

The camp was located 25 miles southwest of Akobo town in Jonglei state. The BBC reported that the area is being explored for oil.

Most of the victims were members of the Lou Nuer ethnic group. Members of the Murle ethnic group are believed to be responsible for the attack. The Sudan Tribune reported that the same group is believed to behind a recent attack that killed two people.

International observers are increasingly concerned about the recent spike of ethnic violence in South Sudan.