By Sarah Baafi
A tragic plane crash in South Sudan has claimed the lives of 20 oil workers, with only one survivor reported. The incident occurred shortly after takeoff from an oilfield airstrip in Unity State on January 29, 2025, as the aircraft was en route to the capital, Juba.
The Beechcraft 1900D aircraft, operated by Light Air Services for the Greater Pioneer Operating Company (GPOC), crashed approximately three minutes after departure, just 500 meters from the airport. Among the deceased are five foreign nationals: two Chinese, one Indian, and two Ugandan crew members, while the remaining victims were South Sudanese citizens
Gatwech Bipal, Unity State’s information minister, confirmed the death toll and stated that the sole survivor, a South Sudanese engineer, is currently in critical condition at a local hospital. “Twenty are confirmed dead and one survived,” Bipal said. He added that an investigation into the cause of the crash is underway.
President Salva Kiir expressed his condolences to the families affected by this tragedy. “Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost their loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” he stated. Additionally, Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol emphasized the need for a thorough investigation: “We must determine what led to this unfortunate accident to prevent future occurrences.”
This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding aviation safety in South Sudan, a country that has experienced multiple fatal air crashes in recent years.
