The Civil Aviation Authority says it will launch an investigation into the plane crash which left at least 40 people dead.

The plane crashed on Wednesday near Juba International Airport shortly after takeoff.

Officials say only two people survived the tragedy; one of the survivors is a child.

The Red Cross Society said it has recovered 37 bodies from the scene; three bodies are still trapped under the wreckage.

Earlier reports indicated that the manifest showed no passengers were aboard the cargo plane which was destined for the oil area of Paluch.

“When we get the black box and other information, we will be able to identify the cause of the accident,” said Dr Stephen Warikozi, CEO of Civil Aviation Authority.

According to the Aviation Safety Network, the plane’s first flight was in 1971.