(LEER COUNTY, UNITY STATE) – A cargo aircraft transporting food assistance to communities affected by severe flooding in southern Unity State crashed on Tuesday morning, with local authorities expressing concern that the three people believed to be on board may not have survived.
The plane went down at about 8:30 in the morning as it approached the Leer airstrip. Local officials said the aircraft was assigned to deliver humanitarian supplies to areas where road access has been cut off for months due to rising water levels.
Leer County Executive Director Kueth Latjor said police investigators and a county administrator were sent to the crash location soon after the incident was reported. However, he explained that heavy flooding has made access extremely difficult, forcing the response team to travel by canal boat.
Latjor said the site is far from the airstrip and in an area surrounded by water, which is slowing down the verification of details. He added that initial information received from aviation officials in Juba indicated that three people were on the aircraft, although the exact number is still being confirmed.
He said an accurate report will only be available after the investigative team arrives at the scene. Local authorities in Leer said further updates will be shared as soon as the rescue team reaches the location and completes the first stage of assessment.
The crash comes at a time when humanitarian agencies are struggling to keep aid corridors open due to widespread flooding that has displaced thousands of people and pushed up delivery costs. With fuel prices rising and transport routes strained, disruptions to air operations risk further delays to essential food and medical assistance.
Relief partners say the region depends heavily on cargo flights during the rainy season, and any interruption to aviation operations risks increasing the humanitarian burden. As authorities work to confirm the status of the crew and determine the cause of the accident, aid agencies and county officials are preparing to adjust delivery plans in case of further delays.
