2025 Samaritan's Purse Cessna 208 hijacking
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.jpg) A Samaritan's Purse Cessna 208B Grand Caravan, similar to the one involved in the hijacking | |
| Hijacking | |
|---|---|
| Date | December 2, 2025 |
| Summary | Aircraft hijacking |
| Site | Wau Airport |
| Aircraft | |
| Aircraft type | Cessna 208 Caravan |
| Operator | Samaritan's Purse |
| Flight origin | Juba International Airport |
| Destination | Maiwut Airstrip |
| Occupants | 3 (including hijacker) |
| Passengers | 2 (including hijacker) |
| Crew | 1 |
| Fatalities | 0 |
| Survivors | 3 (including hijacker) |
On December 2, 2025, a Samaritan’s Purse Cessna 208B Grand Caravan flying from Juba to Maiwut was hijacked by an armed man. The hijacker demanded to fly to Chad but was convinced to let the pilot refuel. The plane made an emergency diversion to Wau Airport.[1]
Background
[edit]Samaritan's Purse is an evangelical Christian humanitarian aid organization that provides aid to people in physical need as a key part of its Christian missionary work.[2]
Hijacking
[edit]The plane, carrying medical supplies, took off from Juba International Airport en route to Maiwut. An armed man, initially identified as Abyei native Yasir Mohammad Yusuf,[3][4] wearing a fake reflective vest with the logo of an air charter company with operations at the airport, snuck aboard the plane and hid in the rear cabin before takeoff. He demanded to be flown to another Central African country, Chad. After circling for several hours, the pilot told the man the plane was low on fuel and landed at Wau Airport, where he was taken into custody.[4][5] According to a Samaritan's Purse representative, no one was seriously injured in the hijacking.[6] The motive for the hijacking is unknown.[4][7]
Investigation
[edit]The South Sudan Civil Aviation Authority confirmed that an investigation was underway to work out the hijacker's motive.[8] They also confirmed that the aircraft had landed safely.[9]
See also
[edit]- Tropic Air Flight 711: another Cessna 208 Grand Caravan hijacked in 2025
- Mombasa Air Safari Flight 203
- List of aircraft hijackings
References
[edit]- ^ "Statement on Dec. 2 Hijacking in South Sudan". Samaritan's Purse. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
- ^ "About Us". Samaritan's Purse. Retrieved December 2, 2025.
- ^ Ryan, Matt (3 December 2025). "Gunman Arrested After Hijacking Attempt". AVweb. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
- ^ a b c "A gunman hijacks aid plane in South Sudan and is arrested after a refueling stop". Associated Press. December 2, 2025. Retrieved December 2, 2025.
- ^ "South Sudan domestic flight diverted to Wau after alleged hijack attempt – sources". Sudans Post. 2025-12-02. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- ^ Tucker, Luke (2025-12-03). "North Carolina-based nonprofit has airplane hijacked during supply delivery in Africa". WBTV. Retrieved 2025-12-03.
- ^ Press, The Associated (2025-12-03). "Gunman arrested after hijacking Samaritan's Purse plane in South Sudan". WXII. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
- ^ "దక్షిణ సూడాన్లో విమానం హైజాక్.. చాకచక్యంగా హైజాకర్ను బోల్తా కొట్టించిన పైలట్". AP7AM (in Telugu). 3 December 2025. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
- ^ Jackson, Jesse T. (3 December 2025). "Gunman Hijacks Samaritan's Purse Plane: 'We Praise God That No One Was Seriously Injured'". ChurchLeaders. Retrieved 4 December 2025.