Families of Luri Plane Crash Victims Appeal for Government Support to Release Bodies

(YEI RIVER COUNTY) – Families of four victims of the fatal Luri plane crash have appealed to the government and City Link Aviation to intervene and facilitate the release of their loved ones’ bodies from a Juba mortuary, citing an inability to meet the costs associated with DNA verification.

The tragic crash, which occurred in Luri village on 27 April 2026, claimed the lives of 14 people and sparked widespread mourning across South Sudan. In the aftermath of the accident, the Ministry of Transport suspended the operations of City Link Africa pending a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

The suspension, announced by Transport Minister Rizik Zakaria Hassan on 29 April 2026, directed the airline to cease operations nationwide until further notice. Authorities said the move was intended to allow investigators to examine the human, technical and environmental factors that may have contributed to the accident.

While several victims’ bodies have since been identified and released to their families for burial, four remain in a Juba-based mortuary awaiting release. The affected families include those of the late Vivian Nadenge, Nickson, Stephen Ladu and Godfrey Sanya.

Speaking to Access Radio on condition of anonymity on Tuesday, a relative of the late Vivian Nadenge said the family had been informed that approximately USD 2,800 was required before the body could be released.

The relative explained that the family is struggling to raise the money and urged the government, City Link Aviation and its insurance providers to assist.

“As a family, we do not have that money. We call on City Link, its insurance company and the government to help us because we are in a dilemma and traumatised. We have not buried our daughter, while others have already been laid to rest. The family, clan and friends of Vivian are deeply stressed by this situation,” the family member said.

A representative of another affected family echoed similar concerns, saying they are unable to meet the costs required to complete the process and retrieve the body of their loved one.

“The body of our son is still in the mortuary. It is very difficult to raise this amount of money and bring him back to Yei for burial. We appeal to the government and City Link to help us so that we can bury him like the others,” the family member said.

Meanwhile, Modi Arkangelo, Chairperson of the Yei Civil Society Forum, said the remaining families are facing significant challenges in securing the release of the bodies due to the high costs associated with DNA procedures.

He called on the government and the joint funeral committee to work together to ensure the deceased are returned to their families for dignified burial.

“According to our culture, when someone dies, they need to be buried and laid to rest. Allowing these families to bury their loved ones will help bring healing and peace. Keeping the bodies in the mortuary for an extended period only prolongs the suffering of family members,” Arkangelo said.

He further appealed to both the government and City Link Aviation to respond to the concerns of the affected families and support the release of the remaining bodies.

The families continue to wait for assistance, hoping that intervention from the authorities and relevant stakeholders will enable them to give their loved ones a proper and dignified farewell.