A tragic plane crash on the outskirts of Khartoum has claimed the lives of at least 46 people, including high-ranking military officials, according to Sudanese government reports. The crash, which occurred on Tuesday night, has sent shockwaves across the country, highlighting the ongoing instability and challenges facing Sudan as the conflict between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues.
The incident took place near Wadi Seidna air base, which is located in Omdurman, a major military hub northwest of Khartoum. The aircraft, an Antonov military transport plane, was reportedly attempting to take off when it crashed into a residential neighbourhood. This area is home to many civilians, and the crash has left several homes damaged and sparked power outages in surrounding neighbourhoods.
Witnesses in the area described hearing a loud explosion as the plane came down, followed by a series of aftershocks. Local residents rushed to the scene to help, but the severity of the explosion meant that many could do little to assist. Some reported seeing plumes of smoke rising into the night sky.
The military has confirmed that 46 people have died in the crash, with 10 more injured, including several civilians, some of whom were children. Emergency services were quickly dispatched, with the injured being rushed to nearby hospitals.
“The crash was a devastating event,” said one local resident. “We could hear the loud sound, and we saw homes being damaged. It’s truly heartbreaking to see so many lives lost in this way.”
The Khartoum regional government’s media office confirmed the tragic toll, stating that the crash killed both military personnel and civilians.
Among the deceased is Major General Bahr Ahmed, a senior Sudanese military officer. His death is a significant blow to the army, which is currently embroiled in an ongoing conflict with the RSF, a powerful paramilitary group that controls large parts of Sudan. According to the Kenya Times, Major General Ahmed was one of the high-ranking officers who perished in the crash.
A military source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, suggested that a technical malfunction may have been responsible for the crash. The source stated that the plane suffered a fault during takeoff, which caused it to lose control and plummet to the ground. While the investigation is ongoing, this early indication of mechanical failure has raised questions about the safety of Sudanese military aircraft and the broader operational challenges the army is facing.
The crash of the Antonov plane occurred just one day after the RSF claimed responsibility for shooting down a Russian-made Ilyushin aircraft in South Darfur. The RSF, which has been battling the Sudanese army since April 2023, announced that they had destroyed the plane, killing its crew members. This attack in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur, is just one in a series of escalating military confrontations between the army and the RSF.
The Sudanese military has reported significant advances in recent weeks, particularly in central Sudan and Khartoum, in its offensive against the RSF. The army has pushed into rebel-held areas, making progress despite the high costs of the war. The RSF has responded with air attacks and other forms of aggression, further destabilising the region.
In addition to the direct military clashes, the political situation in Sudan is becoming increasingly complex. The RSF signed a charter on Saturday in Nairobi, Kenya, with allied political and armed groups. This deal could pave the way for the formation of a parallel government in areas controlled by the RSF. This move has been seen as a significant challenge to the internationally recognised government in Khartoum, and it adds another layer of uncertainty to Sudan’s future.
The conflict has devastated Sudan’s economy, with food and fuel prices soaring, and basic services such as healthcare and education in disarray. International organisations, including the United Nations, have warned of an impending humanitarian disaster, but efforts to bring about a ceasefire or peace agreement have so far been unsuccessful.
As Sudan grapples with this deepening crisis, the death of 46 people, including a high-ranking military officer, serves as a painful reminder of the devastating toll that the conflict is taking on the people of Sudan.
