Death toll in Sudan military plane crash increases to 46

Wednesday 26 February 2025 - 11:37

The death toll from a Sudanese military plane crash in Omdurman, near Khartoum, has risen to at least 46, according to officials. The Antonov aircraft crashed on Tuesday during takeoff from Wadi Seidna military airport, located in northern Omdurman. The crash also injured 10 others, as confirmed by the Khartoum Media Office on Wednesday. Initially, the health ministry reported 19 fatalities, stating that the plane crashed into a civilian house in the Karrari district.

Among the casualties was Major-General Bahr Ahmed, a senior commander in Khartoum. The Sudanese military confirmed the deaths of both military personnel and civilians, and reported that firefighting teams successfully contained the fire at the crash site. The cause of the crash remains unclear, though military sources suggested it may have been due to technical issues. Witnesses in northern Omdurman described a loud explosion from the crash, which damaged homes and caused power outages.

This tragic incident follows the ongoing conflict in Sudan between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been raging since April 2023. The crash occurred just a day after the RSF claimed responsibility for downing a Russian-made Ilyushin plane in Nyala, South Darfur.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned of a "further escalation" in the conflict, as the RSF and its allies declared intentions to form a parallel government in territories under their control. The ongoing war has displaced over 12 million people, creating a severe humanitarian crisis with widespread hunger and displacement.