A little girl who survived an airplane crash in Juba is recovering from her wounds and is able to recognize her family members, according to doctors.

The 15-month old girl Nyalok Tong survived the tragedy in which at least 38 people died when the cargo aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff into grassland along the River Nile.

Dr Agau Agany, who is treating the child, told Eye Radio that she sustained serious injuries and needed to be resuscitated at the hospital. Her injuries include a fractured femur bone.

“That fracture is going to be treated non-operatively with traction given the age of the child,” the doctor said, adding the girl was “conscious”.

He added that the child is able to recognize her surviving family. AP reported yesterday that the girl's mother and older sister perished in the plane crash, according to the father, Thong Deng, who flew to Juba from his home in Paloich after hearing of the incident.

Another adult survivor, Wuor Arop, is also being treated for serious injures including a leg injury and a wound on his head. He is reported to have held the child as the plane crashed and he was the only other survivor.

Officials have given contradictory figures for the number of people who died in the air accident. The South Sudan Red Cross said it collected 38 bodies from the scene but some journalists reported counting more than that number.

Related:

S Sudan spokesman points to engine failure in fatal air crash (4 Nov.)