Cessna 208 Crashes Near Juba, Killing 14

A Cessna 208 Caravan aircraft crashed on the outskirts of South Sudan's capital, Juba, on Monday, killing all 14 people on board, according to the country's Civil Aviation Authority.

The plane, operated by CityLink Aviation, was en route from Yei to Juba International Airport when it lost communication roughly 30 minutes after takeoff at 9:15 a.m. local time. Preliminary reports from the authority point to adverse weather conditions, particularly low visibility, as the likely cause. The crash site lies about 20 kilometers southwest of Juba, where videos circulating online showed the wreckage engulfed in flames.

Among the victims were 12 South Sudanese nationals and two Kenyans, along with the pilot. "All the bodies were charred beyond recognition," a member of a UN rescue team at the scene said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The Civil Aviation Authority dispatched a team to the site to collect information, support emergency services and assist in notifying families.

South Sudan faces ongoing challenges with air travel safety amid its rugged terrain, limited infrastructure and frequent severe weather. The authority noted that investigators are working to determine the exact...