A devastating plane crash occurred in South Sudan on Wednesday, claiming the lives of at least 19 people, including two Chinese nationals and two pilots.
The small aircraft, chartered by the GPOC oil firm, was carrying oil workers from the Unity oilfields to Juba Airport when it crashed at 10:30 a.m.
According to State Information Minister Gatwech Bipal, 17 of the deceased were South Sudanese, while two survivors – a South Sudanese and an Indian man – are in critical condition and receiving medical treatment.
The aircraft, with registration 5X-RHB, had 21 people on board, including the two pilots.
The plane was carrying employees who were heading home after spending 28 days at the oilfields.
This incident is the latest in a series of plane crashes in South Sudan. In August 2024, a cargo aircraft caught fire after landing, injuring two crew members.
An investigation team has been sent to the crash site to determine the cause of the incident.
