Confusion over Rubkona plane crash death toll explained

BENTIU – Conflicting reports have emerged over the number of casualties from Wednesday’s plane crash in South Sudan’s Unity State, with some media outlets claiming 20 people were killed. However, official records confirm that the actual death toll stands at 18, with one survivor.

The Beech 1900D aircraft (5X-RHB) was carrying oil workers from the Unity oilfields in Rubkona County to Juba when it crashed at around 10:30 a.m. local time. The impact killed almost everyone on board, prompting widespread shock and mourning.

Local authorities, including Unity State’s minister of information Gatwech Bipal Both, have confirmed that 17 of the victims were South Sudanese nationals, while one was a Chinese national.

The sole survivor, identified as GPOC construction worker Maker Emmanuel Makoi, was rescued and is receiving medical treatment in the capital Juba. The bodies of the survivors have also been airlifted to Juba.

Why the conflicting reports?

The flight manifest listed 19 passengers, but two individuals, James Dak Chap and Yohannes Kur, missed the flight and did not board. This meant the aircraft took off with 17 passengers and two crew members, bringing the total number of people on board to 19.

When the crash occurred, 18 people were confirmed dead, while one survived. Despite this, some reports continued to cite an outdated figure of 20 casualties, partly due to initial confusion about the injured victims and the evolving nature of the response.

South Sudanese authorities have urged media outlets to verify information before publication to avoid spreading misinformation, which can cause unnecessary distress to the families of those affected.

Government response

President Salva Kiir has ordered an investigation into the cause of the crash, tasking aviation authorities with conducting a thorough probe.

“In the wake of this tragic incident, I have instructed the Ministry of Transport and all relevant authorities to conduct a thorough and swift investigation to determine the cause of the crash and provide answers to the grieving families,” Kiir said in a statement yesterday.

The incident has raised renewed concerns over aviation safety in South Sudan, a country that has seen frequent air accidents attributed to poor infrastructure, limited aircraft maintenance, and weak regulatory enforcement.

Authorities are expected to release a final report once investigations conclude, and officials have assured the public that further updates will be provided to clarify the circumstances surrounding the crash.

In August last year, member of parliament Reath Muoch, called for an urgent parliamentary inquiry into fatal plane crashes.

The call came after three people were killed and two others injured when a UN humanitarian plane crashed at Peiri airstrip in Uror County, Jonglei State.

The parliamentarian demanded that the transport minister and the aviation authority explain the incidents.