18 people were killed in a passenger plane crash in South Sudan today.
The plane, with 21 passengers and crew on board, went down shortly after departing from the Unity Oil Field in South Sudan, resulting in 18 fatalities and leaving three individuals in “critical condition.”
According to local reports, both the pilot and co-pilot were among those who died in the crash.
Gatwech Bipal Both, the Information Minister of Unity State, said that the aircraft was engaged in a routine operation in the region. The flight was chartered by the Greater Pioneer Operating Company (GPOC) and was managed by Light Air Services Aviation Company.
“The aircraft went down 500 meters from the airport, with 21 individuals on board. Currently, there is only one survivor,” the minister added.
According to the minister, the plane was en route to the capital city, Juba.
In recent years, South Sudan has experienced numerous air disasters. A crash in September 2018 resulted in the deaths of at least 19 people aboard a small plane traveling from the capital, Juba, to Yirol.
In 2015, a Russian-built cargo aircraft carrying passengers tragically crashed shortly after takeoff in Juba, resulting in numerous fatalities.
According to local officials, today’s disaster is under investigation and no specific cause of the crash has yet to be disclosed.