Plane Crash Claims Lives of 20 Oil Workers in South Sudan

On January 29, a small plane crashed in Unity State, South Sudan, resulting in the tragic loss of 20 lives. According to Unity State's Minister of Information, Gatwech Bipal, the crash occurred at the Unity oil field airport while the aircraft was en route to the country's capital, Juba, reports NewsBox.

The victims were oil workers employed by the Greater Pioneer Operating Company (GPOC), a consortium that includes the China National Petroleum Corporation and the state-owned Nile Petroleum Corporation. Among the deceased were citizens of China and India. 

The circumstances leading to the crash remain unreported. Initially, media reports mentioned 18 casualties, but Gatwech Bipal later clarified that two of the initially survived succumbed to their injuries. Latest reports indicate that one person survived the crash, writes CNN.

This tragedy is not an isolated incident in South Sudan. Over recent years, multiple air disasters have occurred in the country, which is grappling with conflict. In September 2018, at least 19 people died when a small plane flying from Juba to the town of Yirol crashed. In 2015, a cargo plane of Russian make crashed shortly after takeoff from Juba airport, claiming dozens of lives.