Move FM Global News

EL GENEINA, Darfur, Sudan – Three judges were among eighteen people killed in a plane crash in the western part of the state of Darfur in Sudan on Thursday night.

The crash occurred shortly after the Antonov 12 plane took off from the Darfur capital of El Geneina on Friday.

Army spokesman Amer Mohammed al-Hassan told local media there were 18 people on board: three judges and 8 civilians, including four children, as well as 7 crew members, which included three military personnel.

“An Antonov 12 military plane crashed Thursday night after take-off from El Geneina killing its seven-member crew, 3 judges and eight civilians, including 4 children, who were onboard,” Al-Hassan said.

The crash occurred around 5 kilometers from the El Geneina Airport. The plane was flying to the Sudanese capital of Khartoum.

The aircraft had delivered aid including medical supplies to Al-Helal Al-Ahmaz Society in Al-Geneina to provide relief for people impacted by recent violent clashes between local ethnic groups, and was ferrying injured civilians to Khartourm for specialist treatment. A member of the UN Food Program was among those killed.

The cause of the crash is unknown. Local authorities say an investigation is underway.