Wreckage of the plane that crashed at the Unity Oilfield in South Sudan’s Unity State on Wednesday, 29 January 2025.
A passenger plane carrying 19 oil workers and 2 crew on Wednesday morning crashed in South Sudan’s Unity State just minutes after takeoff en route to Juba, killing 20, including the crew, only 1 oilfield engineer survived the crash.
Among the deaths, were 15 South Sudanese, 2 Chinese nationals and 1 Indian, and 2 crew members from Uganda.
South Sudan’s Minister of Transports, Madut Biar, directed a team of specialists to retrieve the black box audio recorder from the wreckage. Minister Madut said the black box audio recorder would be sent to the United States of America, the country of manufacture, for analysis and to ascertain the cause of the crash.
Minister Madut said the government will send a plane to Unity State on Thursday morning to transport to Juba the bodies of the 20 deceased. He said the survivor would also be transported to Juba for specialized medical support.
The Minister of Petroleum, Puot Kang Chuol, said the passengers were oil workers for the Greater Pioneer Operating Company (GPOC), a joint venture company comprising China National Petroleum Corporation and state-owned Nile Petroleum Corporation.
“We are saddened to report this unfortunate incident involving a Light Air Service plane that tragically crashed just three minutes after takeoff from the Unity oil fields en route to Juba. The aircraft was carrying 19 passengers and two crew members, totaling 21 people on board,” Minister Puot said.
“Among the individuals on board, there were 16 South Sudanese, 2 Chinese nationals, 1 Indian, and two crew members from Uganda. Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families and loved ones of those on board during this incredibly difficult time, particularly those who have lost their loved ones,” he said.
The survivor, a South Sudanese engineer working at the oil field, has been rushed to Bentiu State Hospital, the minister confirmed.
“We are grateful that God saved one life, by the name Maker, and we pray to Almighty God that he saves his life, now that we are able to communicate with him,” he said.
South Sudan President, Salva Kiir Mayardit, offered his profound condolences to the families of the deceased and instructed the Ministry of Transport and all relevant authorities to conduct a thorough and swift investigation to determine the cause of the crash and give answers to the grieving families.
“This tragedy deeply affects not only the families of the deceased but also the communities, nation, and the entire oil industry. These individuals were dedicated to the progress of our country, and we all feel their loss,” President Kiir said.
Last week, on 18 January 2025, a chartered plane crashed in South Sudan’s Jebel Boma County of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area. The plane left Juba in the afternoon to Jebel Boma County. 14 passengers who were on board escaped with minor injuries.
