Two Kenyans among 14 dead in South Sudan plane crash

A light passenger aircraft flying within South Sudan has crashed in a remote area outside Juba, killing all 14 people who were on board, according to authorities who confirmed the incident on Monday.

The South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority reported that the aircraft came down about 20 kilometres south-west of Juba shortly after it had taken off from Yei. Emergency response teams and aviation investigators have since been sent to the crash site to begin examining what happened.

Officials said early findings point to possible bad weather along the flight path, with low visibility being considered as one of the likely factors. However, they stressed that the cause of the crash has not yet been confirmed and a full investigation is ongoing.

The plane, a Cessna 208 Caravan operated by CityLink Aviation Ltd, had departed Yei at 9:15am local time. Air traffic control lost contact with the aircraft about 30 minutes after take-off, the aviation authority said.

Those on board included 12 South Sudanese nationals and two Kenyans, along with the pilot. Authorities said efforts are ongoing to identify all victims formally and inform their families.

Officials added that investigators will examine weather data, flight records, and the aircraft wreckage as part of efforts to determine what led to the fatal crash.