Unknown number of people feared dead as plane crashes in Jonglei

JUBA – An unknown number of people are feared dead after a plane carrying five passengers, including crew members, crashed on Tuesday morning at Lankien airstrip in Nyirol County of Jonglei State, authorities confirmed.

The aircraft, identified as T7-BMM, departed Juba at 7:33 a.m. local time for Lankien but crash-landed shortly before its scheduled arrival at 8:55 a.m., eyewitnesses said. Images from the scene showed flames engulfing the plane’s interior as thick black smoke billowed into the sky.

Kur Kuol, the managing director of Juba International Airport, confirmed the crash to Sudans Post but said detailed information about the incident and the fate of the passengers was not yet available.

“Yeah, it’s true. I have that information, but I don’t have the full details,” Kuol said. “The condition of the plane and passengers is not yet known. The aircraft, a small plane operated by Salam Air with the registration Tango Lima Mike, was carrying five people.”

Kuol added that initial reports suggested there was a fire onboard the plane, but further details were awaited from the aviation company.

South Sudan has experienced several aviation incidents in recent years, raising concerns about safety standards in the country’s aviation sector.

In February 2024, an Africano Company passenger aircraft carrying returnees from Sudan crash-landed at Malakal Airport. All passengers onboard survived.

In April 2023, a cargo plane carrying passengers crash-landed at Juba International Airport, with no injuries reported.

On March 2, 2021, a Let L-410 Turbolet operated by South Sudan Supreme Airlines crashed in Pieri, Uror County, during a domestic flight, resulting in multiple fatalities.

In August 2020, a cargo plane crashed minutes after takeoff from Juba International Airport, killing eight people and leaving one survivor.

One of the deadliest accidents occurred in 2015 when a Soviet-era Antonov plane crashed just after takeoff from Juba, killing 36 people.

In 2017, 37 passengers survived a crash in Wau after their plane collided with a fire truck on the runway before bursting into flames.

Investigations into the latest crash are expected to be launched once more details are received from the aviation authorities and Salam Air.