Sudan official denies rumoured deadly radiation leak at Khartoum hospital

April 27, 2025 (KHARTOUM) – A senior Sudanese health official on Sunday denied social media rumours of a deadly radiation leak at Khartoum’s main oncology hospital following its recapture by the army from paramilitary forces.

Rumours circulating online alleged a radiation leak from the Khartoum Oncology Hospital, also known locally as “Al-Dharra,” had killed dozens of Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fighters and posed an ongoing danger to the surrounding area in the city centre.

However, Dafallah Abu Idris, Director of the National Centre for Oncology Treatment, dismissed the claims. “There is no radiation leak from the oncology hospital following its liberation,” Abu Idris said in a statement received by Sudan Tribune.

He stated that specialized technical teams responsible for the hospital’s radiation therapy equipment had accessed the facility, conducted thorough checks, and confirmed the absence of any leak.

Furthermore, Abu Idris reported that no clinical symptoms indicating exposure to intense radiation had been detected among civilians or workers near the hospital.

He attributed deaths reported near or inside the hospital solely to “direct battles” involving RSF personnel and urged the public to disregard “malicious rumours.”

Before the conflict erupted in April 2023, the hospital treated around 1,000 cancer patients daily.

In late March, after fierce fighting against the RSF, the Sudanese army regained control of central Khartoum, where the hospital and many government buildings are located.