Doctors linked to the main opposition in Sudan have warned that paramilitaries threw dead bodies into the Nile in a bid to hide the number of dead in a crackdown on protesters this week.

The Central Committee of Sudan Doctors (CCSD) said 40 bodies were pulled from the river yesterday.

It brings to at least 100 the number of people believed killed by security forces loyal to the ruling Transitional Military Council (TMC) at a protest camp in the capital Khartoum this week.

Previous estimates had put the death toll at 60.

Worshippers gather at a mosque behind a roadblock set by protesters on a main street in the Sudanese capital Khartoum, 05-06-2019. Image: AP Photo

The CCSD said internet services are currently shut down across the country with the total disruption of cellular services expected to follow.

“In the midst of this media blackout, the Transitional Council militias continue to kill and terrorize the defenceless innocent people in the streets and inside houses in Khartoum and throughout the country – increasing the number of the dead and wounded in all hospitals,” the doctors said in a statement.

It said 326 people have been injured in the crack-down – many of whom are in a critical condition.

The group is the medical arm of the Sudanese Professionals Association, which has been leading the opposition to military rule.

The Transitional Military Council has been in power since President Omar al-Bashir was ousted in April.

Talks between the military and protesters broke down two weeks ago without a deal.