Plane carrying 45 people crashed into the ground and burned to the ground

A South Sudanese plane carrying 45 people crashed while landing and burst into flames, injuring at least 37 people and leaving the fate of the others unknown.

A South Supreme Airlines plane carrying 45 people crashed while landing at the airport in Wau city, northwestern South Sudan, on March 20.

"There were 40 passengers and five crew members. I have no further information," AFP quoted Gabriel Ngang, manager of South Supreme Airlines, as saying. The plane took off from the capital Juba.

"Thirty-seven passengers were taken to hospital after first aid. We have discharged 31 people," South Sudan's Information Minister Bona Gaudensio said. He did not mention the other eight people but confirmed that no one had died in the accident.

Paul Charles, an engineer at the airport, said some passengers managed to escape safely. Weather in the area was poor at the time of the accident.

"Visibility is still not good. The plane landed from east to west and then crashed into the runway. I think the pilot did not see the runway clearly," Charles said.

Images circulating on social media showed a plume of black smoke rising from the plane. The plane then burned to the ground, leaving only the tail with the South Supreme Airlines logo.

South Supreme Airlines plane catches fire at Wau city airport. Photo: Xinhua.

According to VNE