Army spokesman says hundreds drowned in a ferry accident as they fled fighting . The ferry was carrying women and children when it overturned on a river , he said . South Sudan erupted into violence in mid - December . The violence has displaced more than 350,000 people , according to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization , and sparked a humanitarian crisis . More than 350,000 people have been displaced by the fighting , says United Nations .
Army spokesman says hundreds drowned in a ferry accident as they fled fighting . The ferry was carrying women and children when it overturned on a river , he said . South Sudan erupted into violence in mid - December . More than 350,000 people have been displaced by the fighting , says United Nations .