South Sudan Plane Crash Kills 20, Only One Survivor Reported

(EPICSTORIAN) – A passenger plane crashed in northern South Sudan, killing at least 20 people and leaving only one confirmed survivor, Unity State’s Minister for Information, Gatwech Bipal Both, confirmed on Wednesday.

The aircraft went down near the oil fields in Unity State at approximately 10:30 AM local time (0830 GMT), shortly after taking off for the capital, Juba.

“The plane crashed 500 metres away from the airport,” Both told AFP. “There were 21 people on board. As for now, there’s only one survivor.”

One Survived the Plane Crash

The sole survivor, a South Sudanese engineer working at the oil field, was rushed to Bentiu State Hospital for treatment.

According to Both, the Ukrainian passenger aircraft was chartered by the Greater Pioneer Operating Company (GPOC) and operated by Light Air Services Aviation Company. It was on a routine mission when the tragedy occurred.

“The state government is in deep sorrow over this accident,” he said, adding that an investigation would be conducted. “Although most people predict that this might be a mechanical failure,” he noted, without providing further details.

All passengers on board were employees of GPOC, including 16 South Sudanese, two Chinese nationals, and one Indian, according to a flight manifest seen by AFP and verified by local authorities.

Images shared on social media depicted the wreckage, with the crumpled aircraft upside down in a field, debris scattered across the area. Some unverified photos appeared to show a body protruding from the shattered fuselage.

Air travel in South Sudan is often plagued by safety concerns due to poor infrastructure and frequent overloading. In 2021, a cargo aircraft carrying fuel for the UN’s World Food Programme crashed near Juba, killing five people.

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Similar accidents have been reported in previous years, often attributed to overloading or adverse weather conditions.