Only one person has survived a plane crash in South Sudan, killing 20 oil workers on board, the government said.
The aircraft heading to the capital, Juba, crashed three minutes after taking the oil deposits in Unity on Wednesday morning, Puot Kang Chol said.
The victims include five foreign citizens: two Chinese, one Indian and two members of the Uganda crew. The 15 other victims were all Southern Sudanese.
The cause of the crash was not determined, but the authorities said they were investigating.
“Our thoughts and condolences come to the families and relatives of the people on board during this incredibly difficult time,” Chol said.
Oil workers who were all men worked for Greater Pioneer Company (GPOC) and the plane was operated by Aviation Company Light Air Services.
GPOC is a joint venture that includes state -owned oil companies from India, China, Malaysia and South Sudan.
This was to be a routine study mission.
South Sudan's aviation infrastructure is not well developed and the country has bad safety records.
Air accidents are common and are often accused of overloading the aircraft or weather conditions.
In 2021, five people were killed after a Fuel Fuel for the UN World Food Program (WFP) crashed near Juba.