BREAKING Dozens dead following Russian plane crash in South Sudan
Some 40 bodies have already been recovered from wreckage following a plane crash in the north-eastern African country of South Sudan.
The cargo aircraft is believed to have crashed this morning shortly after taking-off near the international airport in the country's capital, Juba.
Airplane just crashed near Juba Int'l Airport shortly after taking off. #EyeRadio’s D Santo: over 40 passengers died pic.twitter.com/SuFExWfX0Z
— Eye Radio Juba (@EyeRadioJuba) November 4, 2015
It is unclear how many of the casualties were on the plane and how many were on the ground, although a presidential spokesman told Reuters there are two on-board survivors: a child and a crew member.
The Russian-built plane was heading to Paloch in the Upper Nile State and crashed less than a kilometre from the runway.
Al Jazeera's Hiba Morgan, reporting from the scene, said this morning: "It is raining hard here in Juba, making it difficult to look for more victims.
"The cargo plane was carrying passengers and it is believed that many of them were not wearing seat belts."
The Juba airport hosts regular commercial flights, as well as military aircraft and cargo planes delivering aid to remote regions cut off by road. South Sudan remains one of the world's most volatile nations.
Initial images of the plane crash site in #Juba #SouthSudan #JubaAirCrash @unmissmedia @TalkofJuba pic.twitter.com/Q6Y7FhUp12
— Radio Miraya (@RadioMiraya) November 4, 2015
The Department Of Foreign Affairs states on its website: "We advise against all travel to South Sudan, including the capital Juba.
"Anyone thinking of travelling to South Sudan should reconsider their travel plans and not to travel at this time."
The country currently implements a 6pm to 6am curfew.
