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At Least 46 Dead in Military Plane Crash
The death toll from a Sudanese military aircraft crash in Omdurman has climbed to at least 46, officials confirmed Wednesday, marking one of the deadliest aviation disasters in Sudan in two decades.
The Antonov aircraft crashed Tuesday over a densely populated district in the city, injuring at least 10 others, according to the government-run Khartoum Media Office. Initially, the Sudanese health ministry reported 19 fatalities.
Why It Matters
The crash highlights ongoing concerns about the safety of the country’s aging military aircraft. Tuesday’s incident also comes at a time of heightened instability as the country remains embroiled in civil war, which erupted in 2023 between the military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group.
The conflict has devastated urban areas and led to reported war crimes, including mass killings and sexual violence, according to the United Nations.
Fighting has intensified in recent months, with government forces gaining ground against the RSF in Khartoum and other regions. The RSF claimed responsibility for downing a military aircraft in Nyala, South Darfur, on Monday, further escalating tensions between the warring factions.
What to Know
The military stated that the plane went down while taking off from Wadi Sayidna air base, situated north of Omdurman. The crash caused significant damage to homes in the Karrari district, though the exact cause of the crash remains unclear.
Local media reports indicate the Antonov aircraft was bound for Port Sudan, a crucial stronghold for Sudan’s military-backed government. The aircraft went down over the Al-Thawra neighborhood of the Karrari district, with witnesses reporting explosions and thick clouds of smoke over Omdurman.
Authorities confirmed that both military personnel and civilians were among the dead. Some of the victims were transported to Nau Hospital in Omdurman, according to the health ministry.
As investigations into the Omdurman crash continue, Sudanese authorities face mounting pressure to improve aviation safety and ensure accountability amid the broader conflict.
Sudan has a history of air accidents, largely due to poor maintenance and outdated equipment. In 2020, a Russian Antonov An-12 military transport plane crashed in Darfur, killing 16 people. In 2003, a Sudan Airways plane crashed into a hillside during an emergency landing attempt, resulting in 116 deaths.
What People Are Saying
Local media outlet Sudan Tribune reported that high-ranking military officers were on board the ill-fated flight, though the military has yet to confirm these claims.
The Sudanese military has not provided details on what may have caused the crash but acknowledged in a statement that the incident is under investigation.
What Happens Next
On February 22, the RSF and allied groups signed a charter to establish a parallel government of “peace and unity,” aiming to create a secular, democratic state. This move, however, has been met with skepticism and is unlikely to gain widespread recognition.
MIAMI HERALD