2025 Sudanese Air Force Antonov An-26 crash
 A Sudanese Air Force Antonov An-26, similar to the aircraft involved in the accident | |
| Occurrence | |
|---|---|
| Date | 25 February 2025 |
| Summary | Crashed after takeoff (possible technical failure), under investigation |
| Site | near Wadi Seidna Air Base, Omdurman, Sudan 15°46′30″N 32°29′6″E / 15.77500°N 32.48500°E |
| Total fatalities | 46+ |
| Total injuries | 10+ |
| Aircraft | |
| Aircraft type | Antonov An-26 |
| Operator |  Sudanese Air Force |
| Flight origin | Wadi Seidna Air Base, Omdurman, Sudan |
| Destination | Port Sudan Military Airport, Port Sudan, Sudan |
| Occupants | 17 |
| Passengers | 13 |
| Crew | 4[1] |
| Fatalities | 17 |
| Survivors | 0 |
| Ground casualties | |
| Ground fatalities | 29+ |
| Ground injuries | 10+ |
On 25 February 2025, a Sudanese Air Force Antonov An-26 crashed into a residential area in Omdurman, Sudan, shortly after takeoff from Wadi Seidna Air Base. At least 46 fatalities have been confirmed by Sudanese authorities.[2][3]
Background
[edit]The Sudanese military has been engaged in a conflict against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023, resulting in a widespread humanitarian crisis.[4] As of February 2025, nearly 13 million people are thought to be displaced.[5][6]
Sudan is considered to have a poor aviation safety record,[7][8] largely due to poor maintenance and aging aircraft.[9]
Passengers and crew
[edit]The Antonov An-26 had been reported to be carrying several high-ranking officers of the Sudanese Armed Forces and a crew alongside civilians.[10]
It was reportedly on its way to Port Sudan.[11] Among the passengers were Senior Commander Major General Bahr Ahmed, a high-ranking commander who was formerly the commander of forces in the capital Khartoum and senior military officer Lt. Col. Awad Ayoub.[12]
Accident
[edit]The aircraft crashed at around 20:40 local time,[13] shortly after takeoff from Wadi Seidna Air Base into a house in Block 75 of the al-Thawra housing area in the Al-Iskan area of Karari, Omdurman.[14][10] Eyewitnesses reported that the plane was flying at relatively low altitude before it plummeted and caught fire.[15][16][17] Military sources told Reuters that a technical failure was the likely cause.[4]
Twenty-nine civilians on the ground were also reported to be killed in the crash, while damage was reported on nearby residential homes in the neighborhood the plane crashed in.[18][19] Among the dead were women and children.[20] The crash also caused power outages in nearby neighborhoods.[3] An additional 10 people were wounded.[14]
Aftermath
[edit]The Sudanese Health Ministry released a statement saying "Search efforts are still ongoing to find the remaining martyrs under the rubble."[4] Firefighters put out a fire confined to the location.[21]
See also
[edit]- 1996 Air Africa Antonov An-32 crash, another Antonov An-24 family aircraft that crashed into a heavily populated area after takeoff
- List of aircraft accidents and incidents by number of ground fatalities
References
[edit]- ^ "Sudanese military plane crashes north of capital Khartoum". Xinhua News Agency. 25 February 2025. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
- ^ Orban, André (26 February 2025). "Sudan military plane crash kills 46 amid intensifying conflict". Aviation24.be. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- ^ a b "Sudan military plane crashes in residential area". BBC News. 26 February 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- ^ a b c "Sudan: More than 40 killed in military plane crash". dw.com. 26 February 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- ^ "Maps show Sudan conflict's shifting frontlines as SAF regains territory". Sky News. 25 February 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- ^ Owoseni, Opeyemi (26 February 2025). "Sudanese Military Plane Crash Kills 46 in Khartoum Outskirts". TV360 Nigeria. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- ^ "Death toll in Sudan military plane crash rises to 46". AP News. 26 February 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- ^ Ranter, Harro. "ASN Aviation Safety Database results: Sudan". Aviation Safety Network. Archived from the original on 25 July 2024. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- ^ Orton, Daniel (26 February 2025). "At least 46 dead in military plane crash". Newsweek. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- ^ a b "Death toll in Sudan military plane crash rises to 46". AP News. 26 February 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- ^ "Sudanese military plane crashes in Omdurman, killing crew, civilians on ground". Sudan Tribune. 25 February 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- ^ "Death toll in Sudan military plane crash rises to 46". KRDO. 26 February 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- ^ "Antonov crash in northern Omdurman kills at least 19 people". Radio Dabanga. 27 February 2025. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
- ^ a b Alamin, Mohammed (26 February 2025). "Sudanese Army Plane Crashes Near Capital, Killing at Least 46". Bloomberg. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- ^ "Officers killed in Sudan plane crash: Military source". Ahram Online. 25 February 2025. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
- ^ "Several Officers, Civilians Killed In Sudan Military Plane Crash: Report". NDTV. 25 February 2025. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
- ^ "Sudanese military plane crashes north of capital Khartoum, causing deaths". Xinhua. 26 February 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- ^ "Sudanese military plane crash in Omdurman kills senior officers". Al Bawaba. 25 February 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- ^ "Sudanese military plane crashes in Omdurman, crew killed". The News. 26 February 2025. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- ^ Magdy, Samy (26 February 2025). "19 killed in Sudan military plane crash after aircraft's takeoff". ABC News. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
- ^ Peters, Luke (27 February 2025). "Sudanese military aircraft crashes on take-off killing 46". www.aerotime.aero. Retrieved 27 February 2025.