This archive report was first published on 3 January 2020.
On January 3, 2020, a devastating plane crash occurred in West Darfur state, Sudan, resulting in the loss of 18 lives, including four children.
The Antonov 12 military plane, which had delivered aid to the area, crashed just five minutes after takeoff from the airport in El Geneina, the state capital.
According to an army spokesman, Amer Mohammed Al-Hassan, the plane was carrying a seven-member crew, three judges, and eight civilians, including the four children, when it crashed.
"An Antonov 12 military plane crashed Thursday night after take off from El Geneina killing its seven-member crew, three judges and eight civilians, including four children, who were on board," Al-Hassan said.
Investigations are underway to determine the cause of the crash, which is the latest in a series of plane crashes in Sudan in recent years.
Most of Sudan's military and civilian fleet consists of old Soviet-made aircraft, which have been plagued by technical problems and bad weather.
