Tragic Plane Crash in South Sudan’s Unity State Claims 20 Lives

A small aircraft crashed in South Sudan’s Unity State on Wednesday January 29 morning, killing 20 people, according to officials. The plane, en route from the Unity oilfield airport to the capital Juba, went down in the early hours, said Gatwech Bipal, the information minister for Unity State.

The crash took place as the aircraft was transporting workers from the Greater Pioneer Operating Company (GPOC), a consortium involving China National Petroleum Corporation and Nile Petroleum Corporation, which is owned by the State.

Bipal confirmed that among the victims were two Chinese nationals and one Indian citizen. However, further details surrounding the cause of the crash were not immediately available. While initial reports had stated the death toll was 18, Bipal later informed Reuters that two survivors had unfortunately succumbed to their injuries, leaving only one survivor of the disaster.

This incident adds to a troubling pattern of aviation accidents in South Sudan, a country beset by ongoing conflict. In September 2018, a similar crash killed at least 19 people when a small aircraft was travelling from Juba to Yirol. Additionally, in 2015, a Russian-made cargo plane, carrying both cargo and passengers, crashed shortly after departing from Juba airport, claiming numerous lives.