Local authorities in Leer County say the
search continues for one missing body following a plane crash that
occurred on Tuesday morning.
According to
the South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority, the aircraft went down at around 8:30
a.m. in Rupchier Payam, Leer County, while transporting humanitarian food
assistance from Samaritan’s Purse to flood-affected communities in Southern
Unity State.
Acting
Commissioner of Leer County, Kueth Latjor Koak, said two bodies were recovered
from the crash site and taken to the MSF mortuary in Leer. However, one crew
member remains unaccounted for.
“The staff
from Samaritan’s Purse who came to the scene took the two bodies retrieved from
the plane to the MSF mortuary in Leer. They later asked for a boat to return to
the site to search for the missing body. We have spoken to the Payam
administrator, and we will go back to the scene to continue the search,” Koak
said.
Eyewitness
Nyabaniy Gatwech Maniy reported seeing one person jump from the plane moments before it crashed.
All three
crew members on board, two Ukrainians and one South Sudanese are confirmed
dead. The body of one Ukrainian national is still missing.
The Civil Aviation Authority has deployed an
investigation team to work with local officials and humanitarian partners to
determine what led to the crash. The cause of the accident remains unknown.