A small passenger aircraft has crashed in South Sudan, killing all 14 people on board, the country’s Civil Aviation Authority (SSCAA) has confirmed.
The aircraft, operated by CityLink Aviation Ltd, was en route from Yei to the capital, Juba, when it went down on Monday morning. The journey covered about 130 kilometres (80 miles).
According to the SSCAA, the plane lost contact with air traffic control approximately 30 minutes after take-off at 09:15 local time (07:15 GMT). The wreckage was later located about 20 kilometres (12 miles) south-west of Juba.
Authorities have dispatched a team to the crash site to begin investigations into the cause of the accident.
Initial reports suggest the aircraft may have gone down due to adverse weather conditions, particularly low visibility, although officials say a full investigation is ongoing.
The aircraft involved was identified as a Cessna 208 Caravan. On board were 14 people, including the pilot and 13 passengers. The victims comprised 12 South Sudanese nationals and two Kenyan citizens.
South Sudan’s aviation sector has long faced safety concerns due to weak infrastructure and a history of air accidents, often linked to poor weather conditions or aircraft overloading.
In a similar incident in January 2025, 20 oil workers were killed when their plane crashed shortly after take-off near oil fields in Unity State, northern South Sudan.
Authorities say more details will be released as investigations progress.
BBC