South Sudan plane crash kills 20, investigation underway

A plane crashed in South Sudan's Unity State, resulting in the deaths of 20 people.

According to the foreign news agency AFP, the Minister for Information in Unity State confirmed that a plane crashed in northern South Sudan, killing at least 20 people.

Gatewich Bepul told AFP that there were 21 people on board, with only one passenger surviving. The plane crashed around 10:30 AM local time, just 500 meters from the runway. An investigation into the incident is underway.

He stated that the plane was chartered by Greater Pioneer Operating Company and operated by Light Air Services Aviation Company. It was on a routine mission in the area.

Earlier, the foreign news agency Reuters reported, citing the United Nations Radio Miraya, that a plane crashed in Unity State on Wednesday.

According to Radio Miraya, which operates under the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, the plane had taken off from an oil field in the northern state before crashing.

It is noteworthy that in recent years, South Sudan, which has been ravaged by war, has witnessed several aviation accidents. In September 2018, a small plane en route from the capital, Juba, to Yei city crashed, killing at least 19 people.