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Dozens of people are feared dead after a plane crash landed and exploded into flames at an airport in South Sudan.

Passengers were pulled from the burning wreckage after the plane belonging to South Supreme Airlines crashed at the north-eastern town of Wau with around 44 people on board.

Photos showed the scorched pieces of the plane as the crash site was surrounded by emergency services, airport personnel and UN peacekeepers.

Smoke filled the air as firefighters arrived at the scene of the air disaster and poured water on the aircraft's smouldering remains.

There were conflicting reports about the number of people feared dead or injured, amid claims that some passengers had been pulled out alive.

(Image: Rex Features)

Witnesses said smoke was seen coming from the back of the plane before it crashed and burst into flames on Monday afternoon.

It is understood that the doomed flight had originated from the airport in Juba, the country's capital.

Eye Radio reporter Deng Dimo said: “The plane was blowing smoke from the tail before it crashed.

"But when it touched the ground, it immediately burst into a huge flame.”

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South Supreme Airlines is a small carrier that began operating in September 2013, with a handful of flights every week between South Sudan and neighbouring Uganda.

It was formed with two Fokker 50 aircraft from Feeder Airlines, which ceased operations following a crash landing at Wau Airport on March 29, 2012.

In that incident all 50 passengers and crew survived.