Over 40 killed in plane crash, as Juba regrets the incident
November 4, 2015 (JUBA) – Over 40 people are feared dead after a Russian plane crashed shortly after taking off from Juba International Airport Wednesday morning.
The plane crashed on the eastern bank of the White Nile River not far from Juba airport.
The aircraft was heading to Paloch oilfields in Upper Nile state and the majority of the victims were oil workers, officials and sources told Sudan Tribune.
The South Sudanese government it’s conveyed regrets and condolences to the family members of the victims the plane that crashed shortly after its take off from the airport.
“This is unfortunate and regrettable incident”, South Sudanese undersecretary of transport and bridges told Sudan Tribune on Wednesday when reached to comment.
“That was a cargo plane. It was not a passenger plane. We don’t understand why people there were people on cargo plane. We will investigate but what is important now is to secure the site of the crash. We sent police, engineers, health workers and rescue team to move the survivors and bodies out”, he added.
Martin David said he was not sure of the exact number of the people dead though he has received reports indicating that more than 40 lives have been lost and only two people survived.
“I cannot give you the exact number. The aviation authorities working to ascertain the correct number but I understand 41 people have died. This is not unofficial report. The number could be less or more. Let us wait from aviation authorities”, said David.
The official was also quick to add that a child and an adult survived the terrible incident.
Meanwhile presidential spokesperson Ateny Wek Ateny said president Kiir expressed regrets for the death and asked the family members of the victims to remain calm as the government takes appropriate measures to investigate the circumstances under which the cargo plane was used for passengers. Ateny said the president was still waiting for detailed report to establish from minister of transport and bridges and the aviation authorities to brief him on what transpired and how it could be handled.
“It will be some time before we establish exactly what has happened. But the information we have this morning at around 8:59 minutes South Sudan local time a Russian-built Antonov 12 registered from Tajikistan and piloted by a crew from Tajikistan that was chartered by Aliet service is the company that is operating the Antonov 12 was taking off from Juba bound for Paloich taking some assorted goods for the commercial purposes,” Ateny announced at a news conference held on Wednesday.
Ateny said the number of crew members were 6 and 12 passengers have died from a total of 18 people on board from whom people survived the incident, adding that the plane took an unusual way.
“The information we have is that the plane took off in a very abnormal way. The engines, according to an eyewitness, the left engine started to stop as soon as it took off and the other one took off simultaneously and plane started crashing,” he added. “It crashed some few meters before the shore of the river so it did not fall to the river, he said. “Now the survivors are only three. Another soldier is found; he is in critical condition and has been taken to hospital. The crew did not survive – all of them,” he explained.
Officials at aviation authority said the crew members were Armenians and a Russian.
Stephen Warikozi from the Civil Aviation Authority told reporters that the captain reported to the tower that the persons on board were 12 and fuel was enough for five hours and the crew of the aircraft is mixed: five Armenians and one Russians and tonnage of the aircraft is 15.5.”
The aircraft, according to the aviation official, carried registration number EY-406 and it was an Antonov 12-B. He declined to reveal why a cargo plane carried passengers.
“This is not the right to ask such a question. The investigation committee will be formed and it will investigate what happened and I think the committee will look at all those issues. What are doing now is how to help the situation. Now we have rushed to the site of the crash which is located southeast of Juba International Airport and the actual place is after the river and we have secured the site of the crash and also now we are in stage of recovering the bodies and black box”, explained Warikozi
(ST)