Death toll in Sudan military plane crash rises to 46
The tragic crash of a Sudanese military aircraft in Omdurman has left at least 46 people dead, including women and children, making it one of the deadliest plane crashes in the country in the past twenty years. The Antonov aircraft crashed on Tuesday in a populated district in Omdurman, injuring at least 10 people, according to officials from the government-run Khartoum Media Office. The initial death toll of 19 provided by the health ministry has since increased.
The military aircraft crashed while taking off from the Wadi Sayidna air base north of Omdurman, causing significant damage to houses in the Karrari district. Among the victims were senior military officers, including Maj. Gen. Bahr Ahmed Bahr and Lt. Col. Awad Ayoub, as well as the aircraft crew. Tragically, women and children were also among the deceased, including five siblings.
Reports indicate that the aircraft was en route to the Red Sea city of Port Sudan, the government seat, when it crashed over the Al-Thawra neighborhood in the Karrari district, prompting loud explosions and thick clouds of smoke and dust. This incident adds to Sudan’s poor aviation safety record, with previous crashes claiming many lives. In 2020, a military plane crash in Darfur resulted in the deaths of at least 16 people, while a civilian Sudan Airways plane crash in 2003 claimed the lives of 116 individuals.
In addition to the aviation tragedy, Sudan is grappling with a cholera outbreak that has claimed the lives of 1,472 people across multiple provinces in recent months. The outbreak, which has sickened around 56,000 individuals since July last year, has particularly affected the White Nile province where over 70 deaths were reported. The rainy season has exacerbated the outbreak, with heavy rainfall and floods impacting eastern regions where war-displaced populations reside.
Sudan has been embroiled in a civil war since 2023, with tensions between the military and the Rapid Support Forces escalating into open conflict. The war has resulted in widespread destruction, atrocities, and human rights abuses, particularly in Darfur, prompting international concern and condemnation. The ongoing conflict has further strained the country’s resources and infrastructure, compounding the challenges posed by the recent plane crash and cholera outbreak.
As Sudan continues to grapple with these crises, it is essential for humanitarian aid and support to be mobilized to assist affected communities and mitigate further loss of life. The international community must also prioritize efforts to address the root causes of conflict and instability in Sudan, fostering peace and stability for the country’s long-term development and well-being.
