BENTIU — At least 18 people, including two pilots, were confirmed dead, and three others injured after a plane crashed in the Unity oilfield in Rubkona County of South Sudan’s Unity State.
The incident occurred at 10:30 a.m. local time.
Engineer Gatwich Bipal Both, the state minister of information and communication told Sudans Post that among the deceased were 17 South Sudanese nationals and one Chinese national.
The injured include one South Sudanese and one Indian national.
The aircraft, carrying oilfield staff, was traveling from Bentiu to Juba after the workers had completed a 28-day shift at the oilfield.
Bipal stated that further details would be provided after receiving more information from the Greater Pioneer Operating Company (GPOC) and the airline involved.
The aircraft had 21 people on board — 19 passengers and 2 pilots.
“All 18 people died, and only two were injured. They have been taken to the hospital,” Bipal in a phone call to Sudans Post.
The plane was en route to Juba from the Unity oilfield when the crash occurred.