19 dead as plane crashes in South Sudan’s Unity State

January 29, 2025 (BENTIU) –  At least 19 people died on Wednesday when an aircraft carrying oil workers from South Sudan’s Unity State to the capital, Juba crashed, an official confirmed.

The incident occurred in Rubkona County in Unity state.

The State Information Minister Gatwech Bipal said the small aircraft hired by the Greater Pioneer Operating Company (GPOC) was carrying 21 people on board, including two pilots.

“The plane crashed and killed 19 people, including two pilots and two Chinese nationals,” he told Radio Tamazuj Wednesday, adding that the dead included 17 South Sudanese.

Bipal said two of the survivors, a South Sudanese and an Indian national, are in critical condition.

Cases involving plane crashes commonly occur in South Sudan.

In August last year,  a cargo plane caught fire in Uror County of Jonglei State, injuring two people.

In August 2020, a cargo plane crashed shortly after taking off from Juba International Airport, killing 8 people.

(ST)