BEVERLY HILLS, March 21, (THEWILL) – No life was lost as a commercial plane crash landed in poor weather at an airport in South Sudan, causing several injuries among the 43.
The incident took place at the airport in Wau, in the nation’s northwest.
The plane’s right wing hit a car and a fire started on the right side of the plane while the pilot opened the door near the tail, which was not on fire.
“It is miraculous, completely,” said Ateny Wek Ateny, the South Sudanese Presidential Spokesperson.
“There are only minor injuries. There was no single death.”
Ateny said the pilot overshot the runway, dropping onto an unpaved ground.
“The crew managed to evacuate everyone.
“Three remain hospitalized with minor injuries,” Ateny said.
Initially authorities were not able to find all the passengers because they fled the scene.
Wal Achieng, an official at South Supreme Airlines in Wau, said the plane carried 40 adults and three children. Twenty-five were taken to hospitals, Achieng said.
“The weather was not good,” Achieng said, citing very cloudy conditions.
The plane was headed from the capital, Juba, to Wau. Juba is located in the southern region of the country.
Achieng said the fire initially led many people to think there would be no survivors.
Fire-fighters rushed to the spot after the crash, and reports vary on what they pulled out of the wreckage.
