A tragic plane crash near Juba has claimed the lives of 14 people, including two Kenyan nationals, after a passenger aircraft operated by CityLink Aviation went down during a domestic flight in South Sudan.
According to a statement issued by the South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority on Monday, the aircraft involved was a Cessna 208 Caravan that crashed about 20 kilometres southwest of Juba.
Authorities said the plane had departed Yei at 9:15 am and was expected to land at Juba International Airport before communication was suddenly lost.
The aircraft reportedly lost contact with air traffic control at 9:43 am, just 28 minutes after takeoff. Officials said the flight was carrying 13 passengers and one pilot, and there were no survivors.
The aviation authority confirmed that among those on board were two Kenyan nationals and 12 South Sudanese nationals. However, the identities of the victims had not been officially released by the time the statement was issued.
The crash has raised concern in both Kenya and South Sudan, with authorities beginning investigations into what may have caused the accident. While the exact circumstances remain unclear, officials said efforts were underway to gather more information from the crash site and establish the sequence of events leading to the tragedy.
The Cessna 208 Caravan is commonly used for short regional flights and is often relied upon in areas where air travel connects remote locations. The flight from Yei to Juba was described as a routine domestic journey before the sudden loss of communication.
South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority said emergency and investigation teams had been mobilised following the incident. The authority also expressed condolences to the families of those who died.
News of the deaths of the two Kenyan nationals is likely to draw attention back home, with many expected to await official communication on the identities of the victims and any support arrangements for affected families.
The crash adds to concerns about aviation safety in parts of the region where domestic air travel remains essential.
Authorities are expected to provide more updates on the cause of the accident and possible next steps.
