Military Aircraft Crash in Sudan Kills at Least 46

On February 25 (local time), a Sudanese military Antonov aircraft crashed in a densely populated area of Omdurman, resulting in at least 46 fatalities and 10 injuries. According to the Associated Press (AP), this is considered one of the deadliest aviation disasters in Sudan in the past two decades.

In a statement on February 26, the Sudanese military confirmed that the aircraft went down while taking off from Wadi Sayidna Air Base, located north of Omdurman.

The cause of the crash has not yet been disclosed. Some local sources reported that senior military officers were on board at the time of the incident, but authorities have not officially confirmed this information.

Severe Impact on Residential Area

The crash occurred in the Karrari district, a densely populated area, causing significant damage to multiple homes. According to local authorities, residents reported hearing multiple explosions, while thick clouds of smoke engulfed the Omdurman area. Some victims’ bodies have been transferred to Nau Hospital for identification.

Sudan has a poor aviation safety record, with several catastrophic accidents in the past. In 2020, a Sudanese military Antonov An-12 crashed in Darfur, killing 16 people. Earlier, in 2003, a Sudan Airways commercial plane crashed during an emergency landing, resulting in 116 deaths.

Escalating Conflict in Sudan

The incident occurred amid ongoing conflict between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since 2023. The war has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions, according to AP.

Notably, just a day before the Antonov crash, RSF claimed responsibility for shooting down a military aircraft in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur. This has raised concerns and speculation about the possible cause of the Omdurman crash.