20 killed in South Sudan plane crash
The government said only one person survived an aircraft accident in South Sudan, killing 20 oil workers, who were on the board.
Petroleum Minister Poot Kang Chola said that the aircraft, which was going near the capital, Juba, crashed three minutes after taking oil fields in Unity State on Wednesday morning.
The victims are five foreign nationals: two Chinese, one Indian and two Uganda crew members. 15 other victims were all south Sudani.
The cause of the accident has not been determined, but officials said they were investigating.
Chola said, “Our thoughts and condolences go out for families and loved ones on the board during this incredibly difficult time.”
The oil workers, who were all men, worked for the Greater Pioneer Company (GPOC) and the aircraft was operated by the Light Air Services Aviation Company.
GPOC is a joint venture consisting of state-owned oil companies from India, China, Malaysia and South Sudan.
It was to be a regular exploration mission.
South Sudan’s aviation infrastructure has not been well developed and the country has a poor security record.
Aerial accidents are common, and are often convicted on overloading or weather conditions of the aircraft.
In 2021, five people were killed after a cargo aircraft carrying fuel for the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), who crashed near Juba.
