A plane crash in northern South Sudan on Wednesday claimed at least 20 lives, with only one person surviving, according to Unity State’s information minister. The crash happened near the oil fields in Unity State around 10:30 am local time, shortly after the aircraft took off for Juba.
“The aircraft was only 500 meters from the airport when it crashed,” said Gatwech Bipal Both, speaking to AFP by phone. He confirmed that 21 individuals were on board, with a South Sudanese engineer who survived and is currently receiving medical attention at Bentiu State Hospital.
The Ukrainian passenger plane was on a routine mission, chartered by the Greater Pioneer Operating Company (GPOC) and operated by Light Air Services Aviation Company. “The state government deeply mourns this tragic accident, and an investigation will be initiated,” the minister added. He hinted at a possible mechanical failure as a cause, though no detailed information was provided.
Plane smashed to small pieces, 20 dead including pilot and co-pilot, in South Sudan. 1 survivor pic.twitter.com/L4WO8qs3or
— RT (@RT_com) January 29, 2025The crash’s casualties, all GPOC employees, comprised 16 South Sudanese nationals, two Chinese, and one Indian, confirmed by the manifest and local authorities. Social media images depicted the wreckage in a field, with the aircraft flipped upside down and debris scattered around. One photo showed a body emerging from the damaged fuselage, though AFP has not independently verified this.
This incident highlights ongoing challenges in South Sudan, which has struggled with significant economic and political instability since its secession in 2011. The country’s underdeveloped transportation infrastructure frequently contributes to air travel accidents, often exacerbated by overloading and adverse weather conditions.
Previous notable accidents include a 2021 crash that killed five when a cargo plane crashed near Juba and a 2015 disaster where an overloaded Antonov plane crashed, killing 36. In 2017, 37 individuals miraculously survived after their aircraft collided with a fire truck on a runway in Wau and caught fire.
