AKIPRESS.COM - Dozens of civilians sheltering in a UN base in the South Sudan town of Bor have been killed in an attack by armed youths, the UN says.

Toby Lanzer, the UN's top aid official in South Sudan, told the BBC that the youths broke through the gates and opened fire.

UN peacekeepers returned fire and eventually repelled the attackers, he said.

Almost 5,000 civilians are sheltering at the base in the war-ravaged town.

Thousands of people have been killed in South Sudan since fighting began in December between supporters of President Salva Kiir and his former deputy, Riek Machar.

More than one million people have been displaced in the conflict.

Mr Lanzer said a group of about 350 youths had left the centre of Bor, in Jonglei state, and approached the base on Thursday morning, allegedly wanting to present a petition.

"They managed to force the gate open, they came in and started shooting indiscriminately," he told the BBC.

"It is the bravery of the peacekeepers that managed to repel the attack. Unfortunately we have had significant loss of life. I can't confirm the number but I can tell you it runs into the dozens."