UN charted Antonov crashes in North Darfur

July 6, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — A Russian cargo plane crashed in North Darfur state on Monday, as a pilot was injured in the accident, the hybrid peacekeeping mission said in a statement released today.

The Antonov 28, chartered by the United Nations, was bringing supplies to peacekeepers in the region when its nose wheel reportedly collapsed on landing at Saraf Omra in North Darfur, the UNAMID said in a statement.

The plane belongs to Supreme Global services Solution. Saraf Omra is located at 250 kilometers from the capital of North Darfur, El Fasher.

Deployed in Darfur since January 2008, the African Union – United Nations force which is in charge with the protection of civilian and has the capacity to defend its self, continue to face attacks by unknown gunmen and bandits.

The UNAMID reported today that some personal effects and money were stolen from a house occupied by peacekeepers in El Fasher on July 2.

Also, a house occupied by UNAMID police personnel in Nyala, South Darfur, was broken into on 5 July. The thieves took household goods, furniture appliances and personal effects.

(ST)