Local officials confirmed a boat hired by the UN to transport humanitarian food aid capsized on the River Nile in Jonglei State on Wednesday.
Elijah Thongbor, Secretary General of the Boat Traders Union in Jonglei, told Radio Tamazuj that the vessel, owned by a local company called Ability, was heading to northern Jonglei when it suddenly split into two and sank, taking its cargo of relief supplies with it.
“The boat broke into two pieces mid-river and went down with all the humanitarian food aid,” he said. “It was a devastating loss, especially considering the urgent needs of the communities awaiting the supplies.”
A rescue team was dispatched from Bor shortly after the incident, but the boat had already sunk by the time they reached the scene.
Thongbor confirmed that all crew members and passengers on board survived the incident. He said authorities are investigating the cause of the accident, and efforts are underway to assess the full extent of the cargo loss.
The United Nations has not yet issued an official statement.
The incident raises fresh concerns about the safety of river transport in South Sudan, particularly during the rainy season when water levels and currents are more unpredictable.