A fatal air crash has claimed the lives of 14 people after a small passenger aircraft went down near Juba, authorities confirmed on Sunday.
In a statement, the South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority said the aircraft crashed approximately 20 kilometres southwest of the capital shortly after losing contact with air traffic control.
The plane, identified as a Cessna 208 Caravan with registration 5Y-NOK, was operated by CityLink Aviation Ltd..
“The South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority confirms that an aircraft crash occurred approximately 20km southwest of Juba today,” the statement read.
“The aircraft involved was a Cessna 208 Caravan, registration 5Y-NOK, operated by CityLink Aviation Ltd.”
According to the aviation authority, the flight had departed Yei at 9:15 a.m. en route to Juba International Airport but lost communication at around 9:43 a.m. Officials confirmed that 13 passengers and one pilot were on board at the time of the crash.
“The aircraft departed Yei en route to Juba International Airport at 09:15 AM and lost communication at 09:43 AM,” the authority stated.
“There were 13 passengers and one pilot on board.”
Among those onboard were two Kenyan nationals and 12 South Sudanese citizens. Authorities reported that there were no survivors, marking one of the deadliest aviation incidents in the country in recent months.
“Unfortunately, there were no survivors,” the statement added, confirming the scale of the tragedy.
Preliminary findings suggest that adverse weather conditions, particularly poor visibility, may have contributed to the crash. However, investigators have cautioned that a full inquiry is underway to determine the exact cause.
“Preliminary reports indicate that the aircraft may have crashed due to adverse weather conditions, particularly low visibility,” SSCAA noted.
Emergency response teams have since been dispatched to the crash site to support recovery efforts and gather critical evidence.
The aviation authority also extended condolences to the families affected by the tragedy, promising further updates as investigations continue.
“The Authority extends its deepest condolences to the families and relatives of those affected by this tragic incident,” the statement said. “Further updates will be provided as more verified information becomes available.”