In brief
In a devastating incident near Juba, a plane crash took the lives of 20 oil workers, marking a profound tragedy for South Sudan.
The plane went down three minutes after departing, resulting in a single survivor among the fatalities, including five foreign nationals from China, India, and Uganda, as well as fifteen South Sudanese individuals. The government is investigating the cause of the crash amidst ongoing concerns about the country’s aviation infrastructure and safety record.According to Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol, the aircraft was transporting employees from the Greater Pioneer Oil Company (GPOC) during what was intended to be a routine exploration mission. The plane had been operated by Light Air Services Aviation Company. Chol expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased, acknowledging the “incredibly difficult time” that lies ahead for those affected. The aviation scene in South Sudan has been marred by incidents stemming from factors such as overloading, adverse weather conditions, and inadequate infrastructure, which collectively contribute to a poor safety reputation. Sadly, this is not an isolated occurrence; a similar crash in 2021 resulted in five fatalities when a cargo plane carrying supplies for the UN’s World Food Programme went down near Juba. As the investigation into this latest tragedy unfolds, the government and international community await further insights into the circumstances that led to this heartbreaking loss.
