World

Eighteen killed in South Sudan plane crash: report

By AAP Newswire

Jan 29, 2025

A Southern Sudan flag — Eighteen people have died in a plane crash in South Sudan. -AP

A plane carrying 21 passengers and crew in South Sudan's Unity State has crashed, killing 18 people, United Nations' Radio Miraya reported.

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The plane had departed from an oilfield in the northern state when it crashed on Wednesday, according to Radio Miraya, which is run by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan.

The pilot and co-pilot were among the dead, the report said.

A plane carrying 21 passengers and crew members has crashed while departing from South Sudan's Unity Oil Field, killing 18 people and leaving three others in critical condition.— Radio Miraya (@RadioMiraya) ◾️The pilot and co-pilot are among the dead.January 29, 2025

The flight was transporting passengers from Unity State to Juba, the capital of South Sudan.

The report gave no more details and Information Minister Michael Makuei did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Several air crashes have occurred in war-torn South Sudan in recent years. In September 2018, at least 19 people died when a small aircraft carrying passengers from the capital Juba to the city of Yirol crashed.

In 2015, dozens of people were killed when a Russian-built cargo plane with passengers on board crashed after taking off from the airport in Juba.

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press