S. Sudan warns over cargo plane use after another crashes in Upper Nile state

November 10, 2015 (JUBA) – South Sudan government issued Tuesday a circular directing aviation officials to increase surveillance on cargo plane use in the country.

“Aviation rules are very clear. They do not allow cargo planes to be used for people”, David Martin, the undersecretary at the ministry of transport told Sudan Tribune.

The warning followed fresh reports of another crash in the oil-rich Upper Nile state, barely a week after a similar mishap killed dozens in the South Sudanese capital, Juba.

“I just heard about it but I have no clear information about what happened, who were on the plane. We are talking to the people on the ground and the state authorities to give us the information about this incident”, said the senior official when reached on Tuesday.

Multiple sources and Upper Nile officials confirmed that a cargo plane crashed in Malakal shortly after take-off. No casualties were, however, reported.

Several eye witnesses told Sudan Tribune by phone that they could see thick smoke billowing at the crash site near Malakal airport shortly after the plane had taken off.

The state information minister, Yor Akec, told Sudan Tribune from the area that another incident had taken place but that none of the crew members aboard the cargo plane died. Those injured, he added, were rushed to a United Nations-run clinic in Malakal.

“We are still trying to get the details of what happened. We are just like you. We are hearing it from the people on the ground but we do not have details. So I cannot give you any confirmation”, said Akec.

(ST)