Aid Plane Operated by Samaritan’s Purse Hijacked During Africa Mission
A small aircraft operated by a North Carolina–based humanitarian organization was hijacked this week while delivering medical supplies in Africa, underscoring the security risks faced by aid groups working in conflict-affected regions.
The aircraft belongs to Samaritan’s Purse, a global relief organization headquartered in Boone, North Carolina. The nonprofit confirmed that the incident occurred Tuesday as the plane was flying a supply mission in South Sudan.
According to the organization, the aircraft involved was a Cessna Caravan transporting medicine to a mobile medical unit operating in Maiwut, a remote area near South Sudan’s eastern border. During the flight, an armed individual hijacked the aircraft, forcing the pilot to divert from the original route.
Despite the dangerous situation, the pilot was able to land the aircraft safely in the city of Wau, approximately 400 miles from the intended destination. Once on the ground, authorities intervened, and the hijacker was taken into custody by South Sudan’s National Security Service.
“We praise God that no one was seriously injured, and we are grateful to the security forces for their support and swift action on the ground to resolve the situation and bring a safe outcome,” a Samaritan’s Purse spokesperson said in a statement.
In addition to the pilot, one Samaritan’s Purse staff member was onboard the aircraft at the time of the hijacking. Both individuals were reported to be safe following the incident. The organization did not disclose further details about the hijacker’s identity or motive.
The Cessna Caravan is commonly used by humanitarian groups due to its ability to operate from short, unpaved runways and carry supplies into remote regions. Aid organizations frequently rely on such aircraft to reach communities that are inaccessible by road, particularly in countries like South Sudan, where infrastructure remains limited and security conditions are often unstable.
Samaritan’s Purse is led by Franklin Graham, the son of the late Rev. Billy Graham. The organization conducts disaster response, medical aid, and relief missions around the world, often operating in high-risk environments affected by conflict, poverty, or natural disasters.
The hijacking highlights the growing dangers faced by humanitarian aviation operations in fragile states. While air transport is essential for delivering aid quickly and efficiently, flights into remote or volatile regions carry inherent risks for pilots and aid workers alike.
Samaritan’s Purse said it is reviewing the incident as part of its ongoing commitment to staff safety and operational security. Despite the challenges, the organization reaffirmed its mission to continue delivering life-saving assistance to vulnerable communities, even in some of the world’s most difficult and unpredictable environments.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, wbtv.com