South Sudan: UN-Chartered Aircraft Kills 5-Year Old in Juba

A 5-year old girl was killed after a United Nations World Food Program-contracted aircraft struck a house in the South Sudan capital of Juba.

The aircraft, according to WFP, was trying to land after hitting a tree under heavy rains. It had reportedly been contracted to airdrop food.

“We regret to report that a 5-year-old girl was confirmed dead at Juba Teaching Hospital where she was taken following the incident yesterday,” said WFP South Sudan Country Director Adnan Khan in a statement posted on their website.

The aircraft reportedly hit a tree before clipping the metal roof of a single-story house as it tried to land in heavy rain and low visibility.

The aircraft’s jet blast also damaged a second house as it climbed sharply up.

Reports have indicated that four other people, including two children, were injured.

“The aircraft then diverted to Entebbe International Airport in Uganda. During an emergency landing, its main landing gear collapsed because metal roofing sheets were entangled in it,” the WFP statement further states.

Koch Madut