The head of the UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), David Shearer, has praised efforts made by peacekeepers from Bangladesh, Nepal and China, who were involved in a rescue operation following the crash-landing of a commercial plane at Wau airport on Monday.
The plane, an Antonov 26 belonging to South Sudan Supreme Company, was flying from Juba to Wau. It crashed at 3.40 pm and immediately caught fire.
In a statement seen by Radio Tamazuj on Monday, the UN mission said there were no initial casualties in the incident, which occurred in the town of Wau, adding that forty-three passengers were said to be on board.
“UNMISS attended the scene with firefighting equipment and medical staff,” said Shearer. “Our peacekeepers worked alongside local emergency personnel; it was a combined effort,” he added. “The UN mission stands ready to assist the people of Wau.
South Supreme Airlines is a South Sudanese airline which began operations in September 2013.
Photo: Wreckage of the plane (Facebook)