A tragic aviation accident occurred in South Sudan on Monday, resulting in the deaths of all 13 passengers and the pilot on board. No survivors were reported from the crash involving a Cessna aircraft on the outskirts of the capital city, Juba. The country's Civil Aviation Authority confirmed the incident, stating that preliminary reports suggest low visibility caused by adverse weather conditions likely led to the crash.
Low Visibility and Adverse Weather Conditions
According to the Civil Aviation Authority, the crash site is located approximately 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Juba. Officials identified that among those on board, two were Kenyan nationals, while the remaining individuals were South Sudanese. A specialized team has been dispatched to the site to gather information and assist emergency services in the aftermath of the disaster.
Rescue Operations and Wreckage Details
Videos of the crash site shared on social media platforms show the aircraft's wreckage engulfed in flames. The footage indicates that the location is hilly and was covered in thick mist at the time of the incident. Emergency services have been deployed to the scene, and efforts to clear the debris are currently underway, while further details regarding the investigation are awaited as authorities continue their assessment.
Technical Emergency Involving Swiss Air at Delhi Airport
In a separate incident, a Swiss International Air Lines flight bound for Zurich was forced to abort its takeoff at Delhi Airport due to a technical fault. The flight, LX147, operated by an A330 aircraft, had 232 passengers on board. According to a spokesperson for the airline, smoke was observed emanating from the left side of the landing gear during the takeoff roll. The crew immediately halted the process and initiated a full emergency response. Six passengers required medical assistance following the incident.
Authorities in South Sudan are continuing their investigation into the weather-related factors of the Cessna crash. Meanwhile, at Delhi Airport, the Swiss International Air Lines aircraft is undergoing a thorough technical inspection to determine the exact cause of the smoke in the landing gear system.