A cargo plane carrying relief supplies from the South Sudanese capital Juba to Bentiu in Unity State crashed on landing at the Rubkona airstrip on Monday, killing one crew member.
The wing of the plane collided with two vehicles parked on the runway, resulting in a fire. One crew member from the charter company was killed and three were injured.
Since 31 January the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has been carrying out relief flights to the hard-hit towns Malakal, Bor and Bentiu. Monday’s crash was the 28th flight since the start of the operation, according to a press statement.
This relief flight carrying supplies for the displaced population in Unity State, including for more than 3,000 people still sheltering in the UNMISS base in Bentiu, where IOM runs a medical clinic and runs the registration system for the camp.
“We are very saddened by this tragic accident,” said IOM South Sudan Chief of Mission David Derthick. “The members of the air crew have been vital in helping aid to reach some of South Sudan’s most vulnerable people.”