South Sudan plane crash 'kills 41'
A crew member and child on board the aircraft are believed to have survived the crash
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A plane has crashed in South Sudan, reportedly killing at least 41 people who were on board and on the ground.
The Russian-built cargo plane had taken off from the international airport in the country's capital, Juba, on Wednesday morning. It reportedly crashed around 800m from the runway, on the banks of the White Nile river.
According to an account given to Reuters from a police officer, 41 people died. A witness said they saw the same number of bodies at the site of the wreckage.
Ateny Wek Ateny, a presidential spokesman, said a crew member and a child on board the plane had survived the crash.
The total number of people on the aircraft has yet to be confirmed, but Mr Ateny believed there may have been around 20 individuals including crew members.
"We don't know the number of people that were killed on the ground," said Mr Ateny, adding the plane had crashed close to where some fishermen had been working.
The aircraft had been headed for the Paloch oil fields in Upper Nile state.
Additional reporting by agencies
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments