41 dies in South Sudan Plane crash in Juba

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Responders pick through the wreckage of a cargo plane which crashed in the capital Juba, South Sudan Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015. The cargo plane was taking off from the South Sudanese capital of Juba when it crashed along the banks of the Nile River, killing dozens according to witnesses and the government. (AP Photo/Jason Patinkin)
Responders pick through the wreckage of a cargo plane which crashed in the capital Juba, South Sudan Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015. The cargo plane was taking off from the South Sudanese capital of Juba when it crashed along the banks of the Nile River, killing dozens according to witnesses and the government. (AP Photo/Jason Patinkin)

An overloaded cargo plane on Wednesday crashed along the banks of the Nile River moments after it took off from the South Sudan’s capital, killing at least 41 people, witnesses and officials said.

Local residents said virtually all of those killed had been on the plane, which they say crashed into a farm plot in Juba, while other parts of the crashed plane were scattered on banks of the Nile..

Source reports said the lifeless bodies found at the scene, included those of women and children.

An eye witness, Bashir Yashin, who saw the plane come down, said the plane initially nearly crash into a market area before the pilot apparently diverted it.

Another witness, Angelo Kenyi, said a child, who looked no more than a year old, and an elderly woman were pulled from the fuselage, both dead.

South Sudan Presidential spokesman, Ateny Wek Ateny said the plane had been bound for the Paloich oil fields in Upper Nile state, adding that the Antonov plane crashed shortly after taking off.

Rebels and government forces have been battling for control of Upper Nile state in Juba, the capital, has been peaceful recently.

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