Cargo Plane Crashes in South Sudan, Killing 3 Crew Members

SadaNews - Three crew members of a cargo plane were killed when the aircraft crashed while transporting food aid to flood victims in the oil-rich Unity State in northern South Sudan.

The deputy director of "Samaritan's Purse" in South Sudan, Bikram Rai, stated that the plane carrying about two tons of food supplies took off from the capital, Juba, heading towards the Leer area, before crashing about 20 kilometers from the airstrip.

"It is with great sadness that we confirm all three crew members have lost their lives," he added.

The plane belonged to the local company "Nari Air," which provides cargo and charter services within the country, but no official comment has been issued by them so far. Details about the type of aircraft or the reasons for the accident are also unknown.

Humanitarian and Security Context

The incident comes at a time when South Sudan is experiencing repeated humanitarian crises due to floods and conflicts, with thousands of displaced people relying on international aid for food and medicine.

Unity State is among the most sensitive regions, combining oil wealth with its border location with Sudan, which makes it prone to security and political tensions.

Reports from humanitarian organizations indicate that difficulties in reaching affected areas due to poor infrastructure make air transport a vital option for delivering aid, which increases the risks in a country suffering from weak oversight of aviation safety standards.

Source: Al Jazeera