Sudan Military Plane Crash Death Toll Rises to 46
The number of casualties from a military aircraft crash in Sudan has climbed to at least 46, including women and children, making it one of the deadliest air disasters in the country’s recent history. Officials confirmed on Wednesday that the crash, which occurred in the city of Omdurman, also left at least 10 people injured.
The Antonov aircraft went down on Tuesday in a populated area of Omdurman, according to the state-run Khartoum Media Office. Initially, the health ministry had reported 19 fatalities, but the numbers have since risen significantly.
Crash Details and Investigation
The Sudanese military reported that the plane crashed shortly after taking off from the Wadi Sayidna air base, located north of Omdurman, which is adjacent to the capital, Khartoum. The impact caused extensive damage to several homes in the Karrari district.
Authorities have not yet determined the exact cause of the crash. While military officials confirmed that both service personnel and civilians lost their lives, they did not provide a full breakdown of the victims. However, reports indicate that high-ranking officers, including Maj. Gen. Bahr Ahmed Bahr and Lt. Col. Awad Ayoub, were among those killed, along with the aircraft’s crew members.
An anonymous military source revealed that the crash also claimed the lives of multiple civilians, including five siblings. Local media suggested that the aircraft was en route to the coastal city of Port Sudan when it went down over the Al-Thawra neighborhood. Witnesses reported hearing loud explosions, followed by thick smoke and dust rising over the city.
History of Aviation Accidents in Sudan
Sudan has a history of aviation accidents due to ongoing safety concerns. In 2020, at least 16 people were killed when a Russian-made Antonov An-12 military aircraft crashed in the Darfur region.
A particularly devastating incident occurred in 2003 when a Sudan Airways passenger jet crashed into a hillside during an emergency landing attempt, killing 116 people. A young boy was the only survivor.
Cholera Outbreak Worsens Amid Civil War
As Sudan grapples with the aftermath of the plane crash, the country is also facing a worsening cholera outbreak. The Health Ministry has reported 1,472 deaths due to the disease, with nearly 56,000 cases recorded across 12 provinces in recent months.
The outbreak was first detected in July 2024, particularly affecting regions where displaced people have sought refuge. The White Nile province has been among the hardest hit, with over 70 deaths reported in two cities earlier this month and more than 2,000 additional cases diagnosed in Kosti and Rabak.
Ongoing Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis
Sudan remains engulfed in a brutal civil war that erupted in 2023 between the national military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group. The conflict has caused widespread destruction, particularly in urban areas, and has been marked by severe human rights abuses, including ethnic killings and mass rapes, as reported by international organizations.
The Sudanese military has recently made gains against the RSF in several key areas, including Khartoum. However, the paramilitary group continues to hold control over much of Darfur. Just days before the Omdurman plane crash, the RSF claimed responsibility for shooting down a military aircraft over Nyala, the capital of South Darfur.
As fighting escalates and the humanitarian crisis deepens, Sudan faces mounting challenges, from war and disease outbreaks to infrastructure failures, further exacerbating the suffering of its people.
