A tragic crash in South Sudan’s Unity State on Wednesday claimed the lives of 20 people when a small aircraft, carrying oil workers, crashed shortly after taking off from an oilfield airport.
The plane was en route to the capital, Juba, when it went down, according to Gatwech Bipal, the region’s information minister.
The victims were employees of the Greater Pioneer Operating Company (GPOC), a consortium that includes China National Petroleum Corporation and state-owned Nile Petroleum Corporation. Among the dead were two Chinese nationals and one Indian.
Read Also: Efiewura’s Mercy Little Smith is dead
South Sudan’s President, Salva Kiir, expressed condolences and confirmed that engineers and technical staff were among those killed.
He promised a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the crash, emphasizing that answers would be sought swiftly.
Initial reports stated 18 fatalities, but Bipal later clarified that two survivors had succumbed to their injuries, leaving only one survivor.
No further details were provided on the circumstances surrounding the crash.
South Sudan, plagued by years of conflict, has seen several air accidents in recent years. A deadly crash in September 2018, for instance, claimed at least 19 lives when a plane traveling from Juba to Yirol went down.
Another devastating crash occurred in 2015 when a Russian-built cargo plane, carrying passengers, crashed shortly after taking off from Juba airport, killing dozens.
Don’t miss out! Get your daily dose of Entertainment news and more straight to your phone. Join Ghana Street Journal Whatsapp channel now!
