A tragic plane crash in Unity State has claimed the lives of 20 people, including two pilots, after the aircraft went down shortly after takeoff. The plane was en route from Unity Oilfield to Juba, carrying 21 passengers, most of whom were oil workers from the Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company (GPOC).
Hon. Gawech Bipal, the information minister for Unity State, confirmed that the majority of the passengers on board were employees of the oil company. The crash has been described by authorities as a devastating loss to the people of South Sudan.
Rescue teams have already visited the crash site, where several bodies have been recovered, many of them severely disfigured.
Initial reports indicated that three individuals had survived, but tragically, two of the survivors succumbed to their injuries at Bentiu Hospital. The sole survivor is in critical condition, and authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash.
Speaking at the scene, Minister Gawech stated that the crash of the plane, registered as 5X-RHB and chartered by the oil company, was initially attributed to a mechanical failure. However, further investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident.
“This is a deeply unfortunate tragedy here in Unity State today,” said Minister Gawech. “We have lost many lives, and we pray to Almighty God to grant them eternal peace.”
The incident has reignited concerns over the safety of the country’s aviation sector. South Sudan has faced a series of fatal plane crashes in recent years, with public outcry over the use of outdated and poorly maintained aircraft in the country’s air traffic.
Critics have blamed the authorities for allowing such aircraft to continue operating, raising serious questions about aviation oversight and safety standards in South Sudan.
As the investigation continues, South Sudanese authorities have pledged to review safety protocols and work toward preventing similar tragedies in the future.
