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The number of fatalities from a military aircraft crash in Omdurman, located near the capital city of Khartoum, has increased to at least 46, as confirmed by officials on Wednesday. This tragic incident involved an Antonov aircraft that crashed late Tuesday during its takeoff from the Wadi Seidna military airport in northern Omdurman, with preliminary reports indicating a technical failure as the likely cause.
The Sudanese Ministry of Information reported that the deceased include 17 military personnel and 29 civilians, with an additional 10 individuals sustaining injuries. Among those who lost their lives was Major General Bahr Ahmed, a prominent commander in Khartoum who had previously directed military operations in the area.
The Sudanese military, which has been engaged in conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023, acknowledged the incident but did not provide specific details regarding the cause. Nevertheless, military sources have indicated that a technical malfunction is suspected to have led to the crash.
Firefighting teams successfully managed to extinguish the fire at the crash site, while authorities continue their investigation into this unfortunate event.
On Monday, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres cautioned against a potential “further escalation” following the announcement by the RSF and its affiliates to establish a parallel government in regions they control.
According to the UN, the ongoing conflict has displaced over 12 million individuals, resulting in the most significant hunger and displacement crises globally.
