At least 20 people died and one survived a plane crash in northern South Sudan, with the aircraft crashing 500 metres from the runway. The incident occurred shortly after takeoff amid a routine mission near the region’s oil fields.

At least 20 people have been killed in a plane crash in the north of South Sudan, Unity state’s minister for information said. The aircraft came down near the oil fields in Unity state at about 10:30am (08:30 GMT) shortly after taking off for the capital, Juba, on Wednesday.

At least 18 people died after an aircraft carrying 21 people crashed in South Sudan on Wednesday, a radio run by the UN said. The plane carrying 21 people, including crew members, crashed while departing from South Sudan's Unity Oil Field, killing 18 people and leaving three others in "critical condition," Radio Miraya reported.

A plane carrying 21 passengers and crew in South Sudan's Unity State crashed on Wednesday, killing 18 people, United Nations' Radio Miraya reported. The plane had departed from an oilfield in the northern state when it crashed, according to Radio Miraya, which is run by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).