Families of the 10 passengers who perished in a deadly plane crash at the Pieri Airstrip in Uror County of Jonglei state are demanding compensation months after the crash.
On March 2, a small aircraft (HK-4274) belonging to a local company South Supreme Airline crashed shortly after takeoff from an airstrip in Pieri town, killing all the 10 people on board.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj Monday, families of those who died in the crash, said they have yet to be compensated since March 2.
“As the victims' families, we would like to extend our gratitude to President Salva Kiir for abolishing further flies with South Supreme Airline and also express our appreciation to the first vice president for allowing the remains of my father, copilot to be recovered," Nyabec Majur Malou, a daughter to the deceased pilot, said in a statement read out to Radio Tamazuj Monday. "Condolences would have been enough, but with the evidence provided and the international laws that were disregarded, our only wish is the call for justice, not only for those who perished but to the families as well.”
John Kel, a lawmaker representing Uror County in the Jonglei legislative assembly, and a family member to one of the victims, decried government inaction two months after the crash.
“We have waited for two months without any information about the crash from the government and the airline company. So, as families of the deceased, if the government has not taken any measure, we are going to sue the company by ourselves,” Kel lamented.
Another complainant Makuei Puok Bai, said they have initiated legal proceedings against the South Supreme Airline on Wednesday to seek justice after months of uncertainties.
For his part, Ayi Duang Ayi, the general manager for South Supreme Airline, declined to comment, saying he would give a statement sometime later.