![The plane that crushed in Unity State. [Photo by Sudans Post]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/7107fee9-c411-4090-8b21-10058f5e1d09.jpeg?resize=1020%2C574&ssl=1)
Engineer Gatwech Bipal Both, the state minister of information and communication, told Sudans Post that among the deceased were 17 South Sudanese nationals and one Chinese national. The injured include one South Sudanese and one Indian national.
The aircraft was carrying oilfield staff from Bentiu to Juba after they had completed a 28-day shift at the oilfield.
“All 18 people died, and only two were injured. They have been taken to the hospital,” Bipal said.
The plane had 19 people on board – 17 passengers and two pilots – when it crashed en route to Juba from the Unity oilfield.
Bipal stated that further details would be released after receiving more information from the Greater Pioneer Operating Company (GPOC) and the airline involved.
While precise figures on plane crashes in South Sudan are difficult to obtain, the country is known to have a high number of aviation accidents relative to its size and population.
These accidents are often attributed to factors such as poor infrastructure, a lack of stringent safety regulations, and limited aircraft maintenance capabilities.
In August of the previous year, a member of parliament called for an urgent parliamentary inquiry into fatal plane crashes.
The call came after three people were killed and two others injured when a UN humanitarian plane crashed at Peiri airstrip in Uror County, Jonglei State.
The parliamentarian demanded that the transport minister and the aviation authority explain the incidents.
This story was updated at 1:30 PM South Sudan time!
