In a devastating incident in South Sudan, a plane carrying oil workers crashed shortly after taking off, resulting in the deaths of 20 individuals, with only one survivor reported. The crash took place on Wednesday morning, just three minutes into the flight, as the aircraft was en route to the capital, Juba. The details were confirmed by South Sudan's Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol.
Among the deceased were five foreign nationals, including two from China, one from India, and two from Uganda. The remaining 15 victims were South Sudanese nationals. The aircraft, operated by Light Air Services Aviation Company, was reportedly transporting workers for the Greater Pioneer Company (GPOC), a consortium consisting of state-owned oil companies from India, China, Malaysia, and South Sudan. This flight was intended as a standard exploration mission, highlighting the routine nature of the workers' travel.
As for the cause of the crash, it is still under investigation by authorities. Minister Chol expressed condolences to the families and friends of the victims, acknowledging the profound loss felt in their passing. The aviation sector in South Sudan has faced significant challenges, with a reputation for poor safety standards and recurring air accidents, often attributed to factors like aircraft overloads and adverse weather conditions. This is not an isolated incident; a similar crash in 2021 resulted in the deaths of five people when a cargo plane, en route to assist the UN's World Food Programme, went down near Juba.
The tragedy has once again drawn attention to the vulnerabilities within South Sudan's aviation infrastructure and the ongoing risks faced by those traveling in the region.
