Cargo plane crashes in South Sudan, 5 feared dead

By Benjamin Takpiny

JUBA, South Sudan (AA) – Authorities believe there are no survivors after a cargo plane with five people on board crashed in South Sudan on Tuesday.

The Antonov An-26 plane crashed shortly after it took off from the capital Juba’s airport at around 10 a.m. (0800GMT).

The aircraft came down in the Gondokoro area in Juba County, located on the eastern bank of the Nile River, according to Kur Kuol, director general of the Juba International Airport.

“We know there were five crew members on the plane. I believe there are no survivors,” he said, adding that officials will confirm the casualties once they search the crash site.

“We don’t know for sure right now since the crash happened a long way from the airport,” he said.

A witness who spoke to Anadolu Agency over phone said he had seen the burning wreckage of the plane and there were no signs of any survivors.​​​​​​​