Omdurman, Sudan – The death toll from a Sudanese military aircraft crash in the city of Omdurman has risen to at least 46, officials confirmed on Wednesday, making it one of the deadliest aviation disasters in the northeastern African nation in two decades.
The Antonov aircraft went down on Tuesday in a densely populated district of Omdurman, also leaving at least 10 people injured, according to the government-run Khartoum Media Office. The health ministry initially reported 19 fatalities before revising the figure as rescue operations continued.
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In a statement, the Sudanese military said the plane crashed while attempting to take off from Wadi Sayidna air base, located north of Omdurman, which is the twin city of the capital, Khartoum. The impact caused significant damage to residential buildings in the Karrari district, officials said.
The military previously indicated that both armed forces personnel and civilians were among the casualties but did not disclose specific numbers. Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the crash. Some of the victims’ bodies were transported to Nau Hospital in Omdurman, according to the health ministry.
Local media reported that the aircraft was en route to Port Sudan, the seat of the military-backed government, when it went down over the Al-Thawra neighborhood in Karrari. Eyewitnesses described hearing loud explosions as the plane crashed, sending thick plumes of smoke over the city.
Citing unnamed sources, the Sudan Tribune reported that high-ranking military officers were on board, though this has not been officially confirmed by the military.
Aviation Safety Concerns in Sudan
Aircraft accidents are not uncommon in Sudan, where poor aviation safety records have led to multiple fatal incidents. In 2020, at least 16 people died when a military-operated Russian Antonov An-12 crashed in the western Darfur region. In 2003, a Sudan Airways passenger plane crashed into a hillside while attempting an emergency landing, killing 116 people, with only a young boy surviving the disaster.
Ongoing Conflict and Escalating Violence
Sudan has been gripped by civil war since 2023, when long-simmering tensions between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted into full-scale warfare. The conflict has devastated urban areas and has been marked by widespread human rights violations, including mass rapes and ethnically motivated killings, which international organizations have classified as war crimes and crimes against humanity.
In recent months, the military has made territorial gains against the RSF in Khartoum and other regions. On Monday, the RSF claimed to have downed a military aircraft in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur province, further escalating hostilities in the war-torn country.
Key Points:
Death Toll Rises: At least 46 people confirmed dead, with 10 injured.
Crash Location: The Antonov aircraft crashed in a densely populated district of Omdurman.
Flight Details: The plane was en route to Port Sudan when it crashed over the Al-Thawra neighborhood.
Military Statement: The aircraft crashed while taking off from Wadi Sayidna air base.
Residential Damage: Homes in the Karrari district were affected by the crash.
Cause Unknown: Authorities have yet to determine the cause of the crash.
High-Ranking Officers?: Reports suggest senior military officials were on board, but this is unconfirmed.
Aviation Safety Concerns: Sudan has a history of aircraft crashes due to poor aviation safety standards.
Ongoing Civil War: The conflict between Sudan’s military and the RSF has intensified since 2023.
Recent RSF Actions: The RSF claimed to have downed another military aircraft in South Darfur.
