Two Kenyans Among 14 Dead in South Sudan Plane Crash

Fourteen people have been confirmed dead after a light aircraft crashed on the outskirts of Juba, South Sudan, on Monday morning. The South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority (SSCAA) reported that the victims included two Kenyan nationals and twelve South Sudanese citizens.

The aircraft, a Cessna 208 Caravan with registration 5Y-NOK, was operated by CityLink Aviation Ltd. It was performing a domestic flight from Yei to Juba International Airport when the accident occurred.

According to flight records released by the SSCAA, the plane departed Yei at 9:15 a.m. local time. Air traffic controllers lost contact with the pilot at approximately 9:43 a.m., roughly half an hour into the flight.

The wreckage was located approximately 20 kilometres southwest of the capital. No survivors were found among the 13 passengers and the pilot on board.

Preliminary reports from the aviation regulator suggest that adverse weather conditions may have been a primary factor in the crash. Investigators pointed to low visibility and fog in the mountainous region where the plane went down.

Videos emerging from the site showed burning debris scattered across a misty, elevated landscape. The SSCAA has dispatched a specialized team to the scene to coordinate recovery efforts and begin a formal investigation into the technical state of the aircraft.

Aviation safety has remained a persistent concern in South Sudan, where infrastructure challenges and unpredictable weather frequently impact flight operations. This latest incident follows a series of crashes in recent years involving small commercial carriers operating in the region.

The SSCAA expressed condolences to the families of the deceased as it works to finalize the passenger manifest. Officials have not yet released the identities of the two Kenyans killed in the accident.

Investigations remain ongoing to determine if mechanical failure or overloading contributed to the tragedy alongside the poor weather conditions reported at the time.