Juba: In a devastating aviation disaster, all 14 people on board a small Cessna aircraft, including the pilot, were killed when it crashed near South Sudan’s capital, Juba.
Local authorities confirmed the horrific incident occurred on Monday, adding to the nation’s grim history of aviation tragedies fueled by poor infrastructure, adverse weather, and persistent instability.
According to a statement issued by the South Sudanese Civil Aviation Authority (SSCAA), the Cessna aircraft departed from Juba International Airport at 0715 GMT. Tragically, it crashed just 20 kilometers from the capital city, leaving no survivors.
“Preliminary reports indicate that severe weather conditions, specifically low visibility, were the primary cause of the crash,” the SSCAA noted.
The victims included 12 South Sudanese nationals and two Kenyans. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, a member of the United Nations rescue team deployed to the crash site described the grim scene, stating, “All the bodies were burned beyond recognition.”
Videos circulating on social media showed the burning wreckage of the aircraft nestled in a misty, mountainous region. A dedicated team has been dispatched to the site to gather further details and assist with emergency procedures.
South Sudan has a troubling record of aviation accidents. In January 2025, a crash in the country’s north claimed 20 lives. Previous years have also witnessed catastrophic accidents, including a 2021 crash involving a cargo plane carrying fuel for the World Food Programme, which killed five, and a 2015 incident where a Soviet-era Antonov aircraft crashed in Juba, claiming 36 lives.
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