South Sudan war claimed 383,000

South Sudan’s civil war has caused the deaths of at least 382,900 people – far higher than previous estimates and more than the conflict in Syria, according to a new study.

The statistical research carried out by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine was published on Tuesday after being commissioned by the US Institute for Peace in partnership with the US State Department.

Researchers measured the number of deaths that were a direct result of the violence as well as deaths caused by the increased risk of disease and reduced access to healthcare.

Previous estimates have put the toll in the tens of thousands. The new figure is comparable with Syria, where more than 360,000 are estimated to have died since the conflict began in 2011.

The UK study found that the deaths from the civil war in South Sudan, which started in December 2013, were concentrated in the northeast and southern regions.

Researchers analysed mortality data, combining it with media reports and some 227 surveys carried out by humanitarian agencies to single out conflict-related deaths.

They said their findings “indicate that the humanitarian response must be strengthened, and all parties should seek urgent conflict resolution”.

President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar signed a much-anticipated peace deal in September.