At least 17 people were killed after a small aircraft carrying passengers from Juba International Airport to the city of Yirol crashed in South Sudan on Sunday (Sep 9).

“The plane crashed and killed 17 people and we have three survivors,” State information Minister Taban Abel told news agency Reuters. 

The plane carried a total of 22 people and two were still missing. One of the survivors, an Italian doctor working with an NGO, is in critical condition and undergoing surgery in Yirol Hospital, the minister said.

According to sources, the plane crashed by a river and an eye witness had earlier said bodies were recovered from the water. There were three children among the 22 passengers. 

David Subek, Chief Executive officer of South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority in Juba, confirmed the crash and said the death toll is yet to be known.

BDST: 1645 HRS, SEP 9, 2018
AP