11 people perish in Jonglei State plane crash

Eleven people perished in a Juba-bound plane that crashed in Uror County, Jonglei State on Tuesday evening.

The ill-fated HK-4274 plane that belongs to South Sudan Supreme Airline left Pieri Airstrip in the evening before crashing at Pieri-Uror at around 5:05pm.

When the sad news struck, Jonglei State Governor Denay Jock Chagok sent a condolence message to console the bereaved families.

 “Ten people including the two pilots lost their lives,” Chagok said.

 He added: “Our prayers are with their families and loved ones. On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Jonglei State and the nation [we] share this condolence message with the affected families and friends in these hours of grief.’’

An eye witness who requested to not be named for fear of victimisation said: “There were 11 passengers in the plane. Nine died first and there [were] two survivors who were children who were rushed to the hospital and later they also died.’’

The plane crash joins a long chain of similar incidents that have happened in the country without a clear investigation to unearth the errors that lead to the accidents.

 In August 2020, a cargo plane belonging to a local operator crashed in Juba killing four passengers and three crew members.

The plane crashed in the Kameru neighborhood shortly after its early morning take off on a Saturday from Juba International Airport.