Russian plane crashes in West Darfur

November 11, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — A Russian plane crashed while trying to land Thursday in West Darfur killing at least two people and injuring 17 others, Sudanese civil aviation said.

The Antonov An-24 was carrying 36 passengers including the crew left Khartoum at 1.27pm and arrived at Zalingei airstrip at 4.18pm. Upon landing two tires exploded, and the plane split on half then caught fire.

Conflicting reports say six passengers died in the crash of the plane which is owned by a small company, Tarco Air.

However the authorities confirmed the name of one female victim, Hawa Mohamed Abdalla.

Abdallah Mohamed al-Amin, a commissioner of Zalingei said nothing is yet clear at the moment but he assured that the concerned authorities will investigate the incident.

On the other hand, the government of West Darfur state ruled out sabotage as possible cause of the incident, indicating that state security service will visit Friday the airport to inspect the site of the crash.

Aircraft accidents are common in Sudan, where the fleet is aging. Many small local companies employ pilots of the former USSR and use of aircraft manufacturing in Eastern Europe.

Sudanese officials said, no member of the crew, whose nationality was not disclosed, is among the victims.

(ST)