A tragic plane crash in South Sudan has claimed the lives of 14 people after a Cessna 208 Caravan went down in poor weather conditions that severely affected visibility. The aircraft, operated by CityLink Aviation, lost communication while flying from Yei to Juba International Airport.
Crash Details
The plane crashed on the outskirts of South Sudan's capital, Juba, killing all 13 passengers and the pilot, according to the civil aviation authority. Preliminary reports suggest that weather conditions, which reduced visibility, may have caused the accident. The Mirror reports that two Kenyans were among the victims, with the rest being of South Sudanese descent.
The authority dispatched a rescue team to the crash site, located about 12 miles outside Juba. Air traffic control lost contact with the plane approximately 30 minutes into the journey, which would have covered around 80 miles. Videos shared on social media showed the aircraft engulfed in flames in a hilly, misty area.
A member of a United Nations rescue team at the scene stated, "All the bodies were charred beyond recognition."
Separate Incident in the US
In a separate tragedy, a US politician and pilot were killed in a plane crash last weekend. Liz Conmy, a North Dakota state legislator, died when the plane crashed in a suburban park shortly after take-off from Crystal Airport. The aircraft plummeted and exploded into flames in Brooklyn Park, north of Minneapolis.
The North Dakota Democratic–Nonpartisan League Party confirmed Conmy's death, calling her a champion for public education, the environment, and transparency. Brooklyn Park Police Inspector Matt Rabe said officers responded to a report of a small airplane crash at 11:51 am and found the wreckage on fire.
