Photo taken on March 20, 2017 shows the crashed aircraft in Wau Airport, South Sudan. A passenger aircraft crashed at South Sudan's Wau Airport and burst into flames on Monday afternoon. (Xinhua)

JUBA, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The head of the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Tuesday lauded Chinese, Bangladesh and Nepalese peacekeepers for participating in rescue operation after a plane crashed at Wau airport in northwest South Sudan.

"UNMISS attended the scene with firefighting equipment and medical staff. Our peacekeepers worked alongside local emergency personnel; it was a combined effort," David Shearer said in a UNMISS statement.

The plane, an Antonov 26 belonging to South Sudan Supreme Airlines, was flying from the national capital Juba to Wau when it crashed on Monday afternoon.

Local officials said all 43 passengers and six crew members survived the crash-landing.