A fatal aviation accident in South Sudan has claimed the lives of 14 people after a small passenger aircraft crashed southwest of Juba on Monday, according to official civil aviation authorities. The aircraft lost contact with air traffic control during a short domestic flight, triggering an emergency response before the wreckage was later confirmed at the crash site.
Authorities said the aircraft, a Cessna 208 Caravan operated by a regional carrier, had departed from Yei en route to Juba International Airport earlier in the morning. The flight took off at approximately 09:15 local time and communication was lost at around 09:43, less than half an hour after departure. Officials confirmed that all 14 people on board, including 13 passengers and one pilot, were killed in the incident. The passengers included two Kenyan nationals and 12 South Sudanese citizens.
Preliminary assessments suggest that adverse weather conditions may have contributed to the crash. Aviation officials pointed to poor visibility in the area at the time of the flight as a likely factor, although a full investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause. Recovery teams reached the site following the loss of contact, but no survivors were found.
The incident has renewed concerns over aviation safety in South Sudan, where challenging weather conditions and limited infrastructure continue to pose operational risks for domestic flights. Authorities have stated that further findings will be released as investigators analyze flight records, weather data, and aircraft maintenance history.
The crash is among the deadliest aviation disasters in the country in recent years, highlighting ongoing challenges faced by the aviation sector in ensuring safe regional air travel.
